Pentagon seeking $750 million for airlift

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Members of the U.S. Congress have received a request from the Pentagon for nearly $750 million in funds for an emergency airlift to Iraq.

USA Today reported Wednesday the Pentagon has made the emergency funding request to send armored vehicles to the war-torn region immediately to aid U.S. troops in handling roadside bombs.

Pentagon officials want to airlift the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to Iraq rather than delay their arrival by sending them by ship.

The emergency funds would fall under the Pentagon’s $5.3 billion request to Congress for support of the MRAP program for the next fiscal year.

USA Today said military analyst Michael O’Hanlon criticized the Pentagon's emergency request this week, accusing Pentagon officials of mishandling the troop-supporting endeavor.

"It's ridiculous that it took this long to send MRAPs," he said. "It’s an example of wishfulness and politics getting in the way of protection for troops. It's a bad mistake verging on the unconscionable."