Air Con?

[Gob]

The amount the U.S. military spends annually on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan: $20.2 billion, according to a former Pentagon official.

That's more than NASA's budget. It's more than BP has paid so far for damage during the Gulf oil spill. It's what the G-8 has pledged to help foster new democracies in Egypt and Tunisia.

"When you consider the cost to deliver the fuel to some of the most isolated places in the world — escorting, command and control, medevac support — when you throw all that infrastructure in, we're talking over $20 billion," Steven Anderson tells weekends on All Things Considered guest host Rachel Martin. Anderson is a retired brigadier general who served as Gen. David Patreaus' chief logistician in Iraq. He's now in the private sector, selling technologies branded as "energy-efficient" to the Department of Defense.

Why does it cost so much?

To power an air conditioner at a remote outpost in land-locked Afghanistan, a gallon of fuel has to be shipped into Karachi, Pakistan, then driven 800 miles over 18 days to Afghanistan on roads that are sometimes little more than "improved goat trails," Anderson says. "And you've got risks that are associated with moving the fuel almost every mile of the way."

Anderson calculates more than 1,000 troops have died in fuel convoys, which remain prime targets for attack. Free-standing tents equipped with air conditioners in 125-degree heat require a lot of fuel. Anderson says by making those structures more efficient, the military could save lives and dollars.

Still, his $20.2 billion figure raises stark questions about the ongoing war in Afghanistan. In the wake of President Obama's announcement this week that 33,000 American troops will soon return home, how much money does the U.S. stand to save?

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/25/137414737 ... nditioning

[Sue U]

Jesus Effing Christ. War is a colossal waste as it is; $20 billion a year on AC just ices the cake.

[The Hen]

How hot is it?

[loCAtek]

Right now? Over 120 degrees, at night, if there isn't a sandstorm blowing.


...Fahrenheit

[Crackpot]

I'd hope so otherwise water would be boiling

[Jarlaxle]

One thing nobody has noted: electronics. Even the small fuel depot my brother was in charge of had radios, satcoms, and at least a couple of computers. All of them need air conditioning to run properly!

Also, some supplies--notably, medical supplies--have to be stored in a certain temperature range (generally, 55-80 Fahrenheit or so), and any infirmary should have A/C.

[rubato]

If we have to send troops there I'm content to pay for air conditioning.

Between today and Wed. its from 106 to 113F dropping to 80s at night.


yrs,
rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

And if AC wasn't supplied, we would see and article aobut how our boys (and girls) have to withstand the heat without AC.

[Grim Reaper]

That $20 billion includes a lot of other programs, like repairing and securing roads. At the bottom of that article the Pentagon claims it spent $1.5 billion last year on fuel in Afghanistan, which included fuel for aircraft, vehicles, and electricity for computers and other utilities.

[Jarlaxle]

And if AC wasn't supplied, we would see and article aobut how our boys (and girls) have to withstand the heat without AC.

Also, articles about people collapsing from heat prostration, medication spoiling, overheated & exhausted medics making mistakes, & wounded dying in 130-degree tents.

[Rick]

I'm sure the price for AC over there is high.

20 billion annually? is a crock.

Depending on where ya get yer numbers to date Afghanistan has cost about 440 billion (no small sum) 20 bil times 10 years = 200 billion just about half.

The budget for the 1st year was just over 30 billion...