RFID Aids War Efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq

Filed in archive Implementation on May 31, 2009

© Carl Montgomery

Besides US and other allied forces there is something else which is contributing to the war effort - its RFID. As per Major General James L. Hodge, commanding general of the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command division at Scott Air Force Base, RFID along with cellular and satellite technologies is playing a pivotal role in the war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He even asked technology providers to keep on researching and developing products which will aid the U.S. Transportation Command in safe transportation of essential materials for combat troops.

In case of war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq, there is always a chance that the movement of shipment might be hindered by border delays, enemy attacks, theft and pilferage, labor issues, political unrest, unfavorable weather and road conditions and here RFID data comes to the rescue as it helps in determining the impact of such events. As of now US cargo containers are tracked by 433 MHz active RFID tags whereas military cargo is tagged with passive EPC Gen 2 UHF RFID tags for warehouse tracking.

Major General James L. Hodge stated:

We're fighting two wars. Without RFID, the commanders would have no means for tracking and monitoring the equipment that is required to fight and win those wars.

Seems RFID has great responsibilities on its shoulders in the war torn areas.