U.S. to Hand Over 31 Trucks to RCAF

Press Release

U.S. to Hand Over 31 Trucks to RCAF

U.S. security assistance to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) has focused on the recommendations of a joint defense assessment conducted in October 2006 by the RCAF and U.S. Pacific Command.  Areas noted for improvement were border security, mobility, peacekeeping operations capability, maritime security, and communications.  U.S. grants to Cambodia under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF)* program are assisting Cambodia in its efforts to improve these deficiencies.

The first deliverables under Cambodia's FMF allocation are 60 trucks to address transportation shortage issues identified in the joint assessment.  Currently 31 M35A2 GMC cargo trucks, which have been acquired through the U.S. military's Excess Defense Article (EDA)** program, are being turned over to the RCAF.  Eight more trucks are in the process of being shipped, while the U.S. Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) is working with the RCAF to identify the final 21 trucks to fulfill the case request.  A total of $413,000 in FMF funds has been allocated for the processing, packaging and shipping of all 60 vehicles.

The U.S. and Cambodia have agreed that these trucks will be placed in units with missions directly related to peacekeeping operations (16 trucks), counter terrorism (10 trucks, Counter Terrorism Armed Forces), and maritime security (5 trucks, 31st Naval Infantry Brigade).  The RCAF will provide for the proper maintenance, upkeep and supervision of the trucks' use, which are for official government use only and cannot be transferred to any third party without the express written consent of the U.S. Embassy's ODC.  Additionally, the ODC will conduct an annual serial number inventory of all transferred items, so the RCAF has agreed that the original serial number plates will not be removed or covered and that these vehicles will be made available annually for inventory.

The handover ceremony for the first 31 trucks will take place at Pochentong Air Base on Monday, 2 June 2008 at 2:00 PM.  Members of the press are welcome to attend. Officiating at the ceremony will be Piper A. W. Campbell, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, and General Meoung Samphan, Secretary of State with the Ministry of National Defense.

*FMF refers to congressionally appropriated grants given to foreign governments to finance the purchase of American-made weapons, services and training.  FMF helps countries meet their legitimate defense needs, promotes U.S. national security interests by strengthening coalitions with friends and allies, cements cooperative bilateral military relationships, and enhances interoperability with U.S. forces. The U.S. has pledged nearly $3.2 million in FMF assistance to Cambodia since the resumption of military-to-military engagement between the two nations in 2006.

** Excess defense articles no longer needed by the U.S. armed forces -- ranging from rations and uniforms to used vehicles, cargo aircraft, and ships -- may be transferred to foreign governments or international organizations in support of U. S. national security and foreign policy objectives.  Most transfers of surplus U.S. stocks are given away at no cost, but the recipient must cover processing, packaging and shipping costs. In this case, those costs are being covered with FMF.]

Released May 30, 2008

Source: http://cambodia.usembassy.gov/pr_053009.html