LIVE INTERVIEW ON WTOP RADIO - MONDAY, JULY 14, 2003 - CHAS HENRY

News Anchor: Jammed weapons put U.S. troops in some dangerous situations during the recent war in Iraq. Was the problem made worse because troops' rifles, pistols and machine guns were slathered with oil? WTOP's National Security Correspondent Chas Henry has been looking into the issue and he joins us live.

Chas Henry: By looking for efficiencies, Bruce, the U.S. military uses one oily liquid product to lubricate, clean and protect the firearms used by individuals in the Armed Forces. And part of the weapons related dogma drilled into every soldier and marine is that you should always cover your weapon with a light coat of oil. Now when fighting in a harsh desert environment though does that hurt more than it helps? We're discussing the issue with Bob Kovacic a retired Army Colonel now working for a private company. He's helped to train 18 or 19 army battalions during live-fire exercises in Kuwait, many of those just before they went to war in Iraq. Bob, what problems did you see when the military's weapons lubricant mixed with the heat and dust or sand in those conditions?

Bob Kovacic: Well, yeah, hi Chas, yeah just as you pointed out, that's a recipe for disaster. The weapon heats up, it expands, the CLP doesn't lubricate it well enough, it doesn't dissipate heat and we have severe damage, stoppages. And uh, you know, the weapons don't work.

Chas Henry: And there is the issue as well of attracting dust and sand, right?

Bob Kovacic: Absolutely, yeah, sure because it's wet. And of course that desert is harsh, it's windy, sand is everywhere and an oily substance will do that.

Chas Henry: Now you said, without getting too technical here, you suggested that a product that works as a metal conditioner might be a better choice than a lubricant in conditions like that. What's the difference?

Bob Kovacic: Yeah absolutely, something that is a metal conditioner and, not to sound like a commercial, but there's a product out there with a national stock number called Militec. It goes on and you fire the weapon and what happens is it bonds to the metal and then the weapon is completely dry. It feels nice and soft and velvety and can shoot up to a thousand, two thousand rounds and it doesn't matter how much how hot it gets or how much dust you have, the weapons will fire.

Chas Henry: Are the problems encountered with jamming serious enough that the military should consider using some other sort of chemical, perhaps the sort you describe on rifles and pistols even if it doesn't meet that criteria of lubricating, cleaning and protectant?

Bob Kovacic: Yeah, yes, you've just alluded to that, you've answered your own question that's exactly correct and they need to do that. You are right. This is a major issue. This is a harsh environment. Weapons have got to work, and what we have right now with the CLP is just not making it in the desert. Just doesn't do it.

Chas Henry: Retired Army Colonel Bob Kovacic, we appreciate your time. Thanks.

Bob Kovacic: Thanks Chas.

Chas Henry: Reporting live, Chas Henry, WTOP radio.