US Military Leaving Much of Its Hardware in Iraq

Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Pentagon is intent on removing most of its soldiers from Iraq in the coming months.  But much of the equipment that has been sent there over the years is staying put.

Rather than box and ship everything back to the States, the military has decided instead to give much of its small and large weaponry to the Iraqi army and police.

During the past year alone, the Pentagon estimates it has allowed the Iraqi to keep in the neighborhood of 2.5 million pieces of equipment with a price tag of about $250 million.

Much of the stuff is office supplies from the bases set up in the country, including much-needed air conditioners.

However, the Iraqis are also getting Army tanks in the deal, which will come in handy in their battle with al Qaeda and various militia groups.

Describing the massive giveaway, retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton explains, "It's all sunk costs.  It's money that we spent and we're not going to recoup."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Egyptian Army Tanks Move Between Protesters in Cairo

Photo Courtesy - ABC News(CAIRO) -- Following a day of violent clashes between anti- and pro-government demonstrators in Cairo, army tanks moved into the Egyptian capitol Thursday amid a tense standoff between the protesters.

The tanks moved into positions among the opposing demonstrators in Tahrir Square, getting in the middle of both sides.  It was not immediately known what the army's intentions were nor whether this was part of a wider influx of military intervention.  So far, the military has remained on the sidelines of the protests, so the move could prove to be significant.

Clashes that began on Wednesday between those in support of President Hosni Mubarak and those calling for his ouster continued into the early morning hours of Thursday.  The violence escalated to gunfire raining down on the anti-government protesters in the Square.  At least five people were killed and close to 1,000 others wounded after members of each side attacked each other with rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Marines Receive Extra Firepower; US Tanks Headed to Afghanistan

Photo Courtesy - U.S. Dept. of Defense(WASHINGTON) -- Looking for more firepower in the tough fight against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the United States Marines are scheduled to receive 14 tanks next month, which would be the first time the U.S. military has used tanks in the nine-year war in Afghanistan.

The Marines operating in Helmand Province have seen heavy combat this year and Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, the senior Marine commander in Afghanistan, a few weeks ago requested the firepower and protection that tanks can provide as they push into Taliban controlled areas.

14 M1 Abrams tanks and 115 Marines are expected to arrive in mid-December to be used in the fight against the Taliban in northern Helmand Province. Among the areas to where they will be sent is Sangin District, an area where Marines have suffered significant casualties in recent weeks, a Defense official said.

The Marines of the 3rd battalion, 5th Regiment, have suffered 15 deaths since taking over control of the district from the British in September. They are on pace to be the combat battalion with the most fatalities in the war in Afghanistan.

Pentagon officials note that the use of tanks is not new with U.S. allies in Afghanistan, as Canadian and Danish forces have used them in their deployments. But next month will mark the first time that American forces will field tanks there.

Copyright 2010 ABC News Radio