Challenges in maintaining vehicles.

I enjoyed the April 2004 article titled "Changes on the Way for Army Logistics Ops." I also would like to make a comment and clarification. The article said, "Maintaining equipment such as the Rough Terrain Container Handler is difficult in the desert, because it was not designed for that environment."

The RTCH was unquestionably designed and tested for the desert environment. The Operational Requirements Document specifically states, "Storage, transportation and deployment will include operations in cold, basic and hot climates." In fact, despite any setbacks, the RTCH has performed remarkably well in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (both desert environments) enabling commanders to move containers rapidly throughout the theater.

The important point that I wanted to make is similar to what Sandra Erwin wrote earlier in the article: The RTCH, like any other piece of equipment, will become a casualty if not operated and maintained properly, regardless of where it is deployed. From my experience in Iraq and Kuwait, I found units where the leadership ensured the proper operation and maintenance of this system, and I saw units that did not ensure the same. The results obviously were very different in terms of the operational readiness rates and overall condition of their equipment.

Thanks for bringing wider attention to real logistics problems facing our soldiers deployed overseas.