Perspective: Guard's loss of hardware in war causes dire situation

WASHINGTON - When a Nevada National Guard transportation unit from Henderson returned from Iraq last year, it was without the backbone of its operation: its trucks.

Dozens of tractor-trailers, Humvees and other equipment the Nevada Guard needs to do its job have been left in Iraq, contributing to a nationwide depletion of resources that is creating what the Guard's commander in Washington has called a dire situation.

Experts say that after the war ends, the nation must spend $75 billion to rebuild the military after operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Guard estimates that it alone needs up to $24 billion nationwide for equipment at the rate it is now being lost.

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