December 18,2008: The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the sale of another $6 billion in weapons to Iraq. Among the major items the Iraqis are getting are 400 Stryker armored vehicles, 140 M-1 tanks, 23 coastal patrol boats. 20 T-6A trainer aircraft (and 26 AT-6B ground attack versions) and 26 Bell 406 armed transport helicopters.

In addition, Iraq is getting small arms, machine-guns, ammunition and communications equipment. The Iraqis are using the U.S. military as the model for their new armed forces, and are buying as much U.S. gear as they can. Iraqi troops know what they are getting, because they see this stuff being used every day.