January 24, 2009:
The U.S. Department of Defense is speeding up a program to refurbish hummers (HMMWV) and transfer them to Iraq. The total number of vehicles is 8,500, and all are to be delivered by July. Currently, only about 40 percent have been turned over. Iraq is paying about $24,000 for each vehicle. Most of the hummers have served in Iraq, and many are being refurbed locally. Some have armor, and Iraq is getting the "like new" refurbs at less than half what they would cost brand new. The U.S. expects to meet the July deadline.