One if by Land...

The New York Times reports on supplies being moved into Iraq by air. Steve Gilliard, where I found the link, notes this doesn't bode all that well, as it means the road network isn't safe, i.e., the insurgents have it either under their control or can make overland resupply a VERY costly affair.

The article goes on to note that costs are running about "$4.4 billion monthly" for the war, although subsequent paragraphs make it evident that they don't really know the cost, given that they cite figures of first $70 billion, then "somewhat lower than $100 billion."

If air resupply becomes the norm, look for the monetary costs to rise, although a beneficial effect would be reduced US casualties. However, I can't imagine airlift to become the main method of providing parts, equipment, sustenance, etc., to soldiers stationed in barracks throughout the country. The Berlin airlift succeeded only with a great deal of luck--and the planes back then weren't dodging SAM's.

I wonder if KBR is still hauling sailboat fuel back and forth across the desert?

Oh--and as an aside, once again the name of notorious merchant of death Victor Bout is being linked to the Pentagon and to Iraq. Geez...the whole sorry situation there would make the Fulton Street Fish Market smell like a pine forest in comparison...