AP: Iran gets army gear in Pentagon sale

By SHARON THEIMER
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fighter jet parts and other sensitive U.S. military gear seized from front companies for Iran and brokers for China have been traced in criminal cases to a surprising source: the Pentagon.

In one case, federal investigators said, contraband purchased in Defense Department surplus auctions was delivered to Iran, a country President Bush has branded part of an "axis of evil."

In that instance, a Pakistani arms broker convicted of exporting U.S. missile parts to Iran resumed business after his release from prison. He purchased Chinook helicopter engine parts for Iran from a U.S. company that had bought them in a Pentagon surplus sale. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents say those parts did make it to Iran.

Sensitive military surplus items are supposed to be demilitarized or "de-milled" - rendered useless for military purposes - or, if auctioned, sold only to buyers who promise to obey U.S. arms embargoes, export controls and other laws.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MILITARY_SURPLUS_STINGS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

And the few pathetic aviation platforms that the Iranians have consist largely of shit left over from before the revolution in 79...talk about an aging fleet!!! They're desperate for parts, they've cannibalized and made their own replacement parts until they can't do it any more.

The Iranians have no effective air force, and no real navy, either. They have a few lousy planes, and a few crummy boats. They're a bit better in the missile department, but they're not 21st Century by any stretch.

And if there's someone with a need (Iran) and someone with what they need, and there's money to be made, well, there ya have it!

Darn.

*Withdraws $3,000 bid.*

To take back the weapons we sold them!!!

Asked why the Pentagon would sell any F-14 parts, given their value to Iran, Baillie said: "Our first priority truly is national security, and we take that very seriously. However, we have to balance that with our other requirement to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money."


Anything for a buck...er..ummm, I mean saving the taxpayers'money.