A Missouri transportation unit headed for Iraq sought extra protection for non-combat vehicles. Local businesses donated the costs for a local steel fabricator to sheath their trucks and Humvees.

The 72 vehicles operated by the 428th are not designed for battle. They have thin metal floorboards and, in some cases, a canvas covering for doors. Iraqi guerrilla groups have been targeting all types of military vehicles with homemade bombs and small-caliber weapons.

E-mails from soldiers already deployed in Iraq urged the Missouri reservists to get extra armor if possible, said 1st Sgt. Tim Beydler, a member of the 428th.

Unfortunately, although official US Army add-on armor is still under development and not yet ready, the Pentagon will not allow this jury-rigging, since it has not been approved through official channels. [Oh, and because one of Cheney’s cronies has to be awarded the price-gouging contract to do the retrofits instead?] Washington Post