Trent Telenko sends in a nice follow up to his August 5, 2003 "Return of the Gun Trucks" post and his recent bit on armored Hummers and wartime mobilization. According to this AP dispatch from Jim Krane, it looks like the National Guard can innovate, too:

"We believe we're still in combat," said Carpenter, 24, a lanky suntanned man from Jackson, Mich., one of about 600 soldiers in the Army's 181st Transportation Battalion. He and other truckers at this sprawling logistical base north of Baghdad are the lifeline for 130,000 U.S. troops flung across this California-sized country. Despite the attacks, they operate supply lines stretching over 800 miles, hauling food for 475,000 meals per day, as well as a million gallons each of fuel and water. "It's something we're proud of. We're the Road Warriors. We're based on Mad Max," said the 181st's Maj. Robert Curran, 38, of Manchester, Mass. "And we're starting to look the part."

Here's where to find the whole story on Yahoo - if that fails, use the Freep link above instead. UPDATES: * Wince and Nod have more on this subject, thanks to a couple of Jefferson City, Missouri businesses. * They're not alone, either. Working with a growing team of Iraqi engineers, Reservist Capt. Darryl M. Butler of the 1st Armored Division has created a kit that turns Hummers into "Butler Mobiles." * Reader Gigi points out that some Alabama residents are also getting into the act. Note the lack of official approval from the Pentagon. Note the refusal to let that stop the locals. One more example of why the Western Way of War is so effective.