April 4,2008:
The U.S. military consumes about
50 million gallons of fuel (gasoline, diesel, aviation) per month in Iraq.
During World War II, fuel consumption averaged out to about 1.66 gallons per
day per soldier, sailor or whatever. In Iraq, sixteen times as much fuel per
man is needed (over 27 gallons per day). The main reason for that increase is
the greater use of aircraft, including helicopters, and electricity generators.
Armored vehicles are also more than twice the weight of their World War II
counterparts, and trucks are larger as well. The trucks also carry armor, which
increases fuel consumption. The fuel is bought on the world market, and it
currently costs about $3.30 a gallon.