This was a great story and it got me thinking. Matter of fact, Tim’s recent post and the challenge posed by Small Wars Journal got me thinking about the infantryman’s load in Afghanistan, and some of the solutions for making that lighter. Obviously, donkeys are a good choice, and this article tells it all.
But that also made me think of how far would this concept go in terms of the current conflict? Would companies be contracted out to lead mule trains up to Combat Outposts and FOB’s? Would security contractors escort these mule trains as they try to bring them in safely to the destination, much like security contractors in Iraq (and Afghanistan) have been doing with vehicle convoy operations? With the Marines, we are not talking about a few ODA teams out in the hinterland, we are talking about infantry units that need supplies up in the mountains, and the possibility is there I guess for companies to get involved with that. Or not.
I guess the thing to think about with this is that how many units will it take to command these pack trains as they go through the mountains? What would be the percentage of pack trains that would get attacked and the precious cargo destroyed? So that would leave the idea of having a very involved pack train system, just so that these combat outposts could have somewhat dependable supply deliveries. Could the military keep up with that, or would there come a point where contractors would have to be brought in? Interesting stuff and we will see.
On a side note, these pack trains are great. In the smokejumpers, we used them all the time to haul gear in and out of the mountains. Although it seems I still ended up hiking a lot of gear all over the place. I have also trained up at Pickle Meadows up at Bridgeport, and that is some beautiful country. –Matt
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Marines’ beasts of burden are again leading the pack
For centuries, donkeys and mules have been the preferred mode of military transport in Afghanistan. At a training center in the Sierra Nevada, Marines learn how to handle the sure-footed animals.
By Tony Perry
July 7, 2009
From the Los Angeles Times
Reporting from Bridgeport, Calif. — With 75 pounds of military gear cinched on her furry back, Annie was stubborn the whole way.
The two Marines assigned to her pushed, pulled and sweet-talked her up the steep, twisting trail on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada.