Ramadi - Insurgents' assaults on supply convoys west of Baghdad landed a blow to United States marines' stomachs on Monday as their bases in al-Anbar province began rationing food amid fears their stocks could run low.
Since Sunday, all 1st Marine Division camps have rationed food, said spokesperson 1st Lieutenant Eric Knapp.
Some bases are down to one hot meal a day while others are still serving two, Knapp said.
On Monday, hundreds at the 1st Marine Division headquarters in Ramadi picked through the plastic-sealed field meals, known as Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) - choosing between Thai chicken, beef stew and bean and rice burrito.
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| chow is not more important than someone's life |
The headquarters was down to a hot breakfast and dinner as it looked to cut back on food supply convoys after insurgents ambushed US military and private trucks since the marines stormed into Fallujah two weeks ago.
Several US soldiers and contractors have gone missing in the attacks on the dangerous road between Baghdad and Jordan.
"We don't want to run out so we're conserving because chow is not more important than someone's life," said Staff Sergeant Denise Ruiz, the dining hall manager at the main base in Ramadi, home to about 1 200 marines.
"It's not that there is a shortage. We just want to make sure our contractors get here safely."
The military's catering is contracted out to the American firm Kellogg, Brown and Root.
Ruiz said they had not received a food delivery in at least a week, but a shipment was expected very soon.
The MREs did not appear to be affecting morale Monday.
"I'm used to eating MREs. I'm an artillery man," said Lance Corporal Jesse Smith, as the smell of chemical heaters to warm the sealed food wafted across the cafeteria. - Sapa-AFP
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