Adm. Mike Mullen says oil industry has better technology for dealing with Gulf spill

NEW ORLEANS – NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Responding to suggestions that the military should take the lead in responding to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the oil industry is better-equipped to deal with the disaster.

Speaking Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Adm. Mike Mullen said the military has looked at equipment it has available but "the best technology in the world, with respect to that, exists in the oil industry."

Mullen also says any decision on the military taking the lead would come from the president.

The spill, which began after an oil rig exploded off Louisiana's coast, is the worst in American history. According to government estimates, it's already released between 18 million and 40 million gallons of oil into the Gulf.