Senator Joni Ernst blasts Pentagon for sending wet, moldy gear to Taiwan

It might be time to break the mold.

Senator Joni Ernst Criticized the Pentagon over shipments of mold-infected body armor plates, mold-covered tactical jackets and other substandard equipment. Taven Last year, Taipei spent several weeks drying and cleaning.

Ernst (R-Iowa) wrote a letter Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin The “shameful debacle” was criticized on Wednesday and answers were demanded about why “substandard military equipment” was sent to Taiwan, as revealed in a Pentagon watchdog report last month.

“While Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ appeasement of Iran has put the Middle East in the spotlight, it has not slowed China’s aggression in the South China Sea and beyond,” Ernst (R-Iowa) said in a statement to The Post. Is.”

“Sending useless equipment to our partner while he is in the crosshairs of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is the latest example of how this administration has damaged America’s credibility around the world.”

Last month, a Report of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense Highlighted the debacle and revealed that the Pentagon spent approximately $730,000 trying to rectify the issue.

Taiwanese officials also identified other quality control issues from the US shipment, such as 2.7 million rounds of ammunition that were filled with expired shells packed in loose and mislabeled packaging.

In total, more than 3,000 body armor plates were covered with mold, 500 moldy tactical vests were also wet and there were 120 pallets that were damaged by water, some of which contained “visible mold spores.”

The DoD watchdog concluded that the Pentagon “did not effectively or efficiently enforce accountability and quality controls” across a variety of shipments to Taiwan between November 2023 and March 2024.

Investigators attributed the poor shipment to communication errors related to the coordination of flights to Taiwan. The inspector general suggested the Pentagon establish a clear timeline and delegation of responsibilities for such shipments.

That equipment was included in a $345 million aid package that the Harris-Biden administration unveiled last year.

The delivery came against a backdrop of rising tensions between Taiwan, a self-ruled island with its own currency and military in the East China Sea, and Taiwan, over which Beijing claims sovereignty. On paper, the US adheres to the so-called One China principle, recognizing that claim.

However, the US also maintains informal diplomatic relations with Taipei and there is strategic ambiguity over whether it would intervene militarily if China tries to establish control over Taiwan by force. Fears of such aggression have increased due to the war in Ukraine.

“This shameful defeat exposes the shortcomings in the Biden-Harris administration’s anti-China strategy, weakens our relationship with a key regional partner, and weakens deterrence against China,” Ernst wrote in his letter to Austin. And wastes thousands of taxpayer dollars.”

“These failures are particularly worrisome, not only because of Taiwan’s important role as a major security partner, but also because they could affect the confidence of other U.S. allies and partners in providing timely and reliable defense assistance.” Let us trust.”

The Hawkeye State senator sent Austin a list of questions about steps the Pentagon is taking to provide better oversight of future equipment shipments, whether the DOD will consider the inspector general’s recommendations and the Army’s efforts to improve the situation. Gave details about how it was funded.

He also sought information on whether the Pentagon had taken steps to replace damaged ammunition and a list of any other equipment that had been destroyed.

“Kamala Harris’s White House is doomed to breed further mistrust among friends and allies and give a green light to adversaries eager to take advantage,” Ernst further told The Post of the debacle.

Ernst has taken aim at the Harris-Biden Pentagon before the money that went to the TalibanLast month, she attacked Harris-Biden Administration over millions Which went to Chinese laboratories.