Drawdown And Reset Of Equipment In Iraq

We evaluated DOD's plans for Operation Clean Sweep to determine whether roles, responsibilities, and lines of reporting were well defined and documented; the plans comprehensively addressed equipment accountability, visibility, and disposition; and whether realistic milestones were established. We also determined whether Operation Clean Sweep was effectively implemented in accordance with those plans.

The drawdown from Iraq is a complex operation of significant magnitude. Established drawdown timelines dictate a reduction in forces to 50,000 troops by August 31, 2010, and a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011. While the Dept. of Defense (DoD) has made progress toward meeting these goals, a large amount of equipment, personnel, and bases remain to be drawn down. Moreover, escalating U.S. involvement in Afghanistan may increase the pressure on DoD to efficiently execute the drawdown. This report examined: (1) the extent to which DoD has planned for the drawdown from Iraq in accordance with set timelines; and (2) factors that may impact the efficient execution of the drawdown. Includes recomm. Illus.

The U.S. and Iraq have signed a Security Agreement calling for the drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq. Multi-National Force-Iraq has issued a plan for the reduction of forces to 50,000 U.S. troops by Aug. 31, 2010, and a complete withdrawal of forces by the end of 2011. The drawdown from Iraq includes the withdrawal of 128,700 U.S. troops, over 115,000 contractor personnel, the closure or transfer of 295 bases, and the retrograde of over 3.3 million pieces of equipment. This statement focuses on: (1) the extent to which the DoD has planned for the drawdown in accordance with timelines set by the Agreement and presidential directive; and (2) factors that may impact the efficient execution of the drawdown in accordance with established timelines. Illus.

Several DOD organizations have issued coordinated plans for the execution of the drawdown, but DOD has yet to fully plan for requirements for contracted services needed during the drawdown. Since our September 2008 report, DOD created new organizations to oversee, synchronize, and ensure unity of effort during the drawdown and established goals and metrics for measuring progress. To date, DOD reports that its drawdown efforts have exceeded its goals. For example, as of January 2010, DOD reported that it exceeded its target figure for withdrawing rolling stock in Iraq?which includes wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, some construction equipment, and trailers?by over 2,600 pieces. However, a large amount of personnel, equipment, and bases remain to be drawn down. In addition, although DOD took some steps to plan for contracted services, limited operational planning for contracted support has challenged its ability to identify the full range of its needs for contracted services to support the drawdown; existing processes may not allow sufficient time for all contracted services needed to be put on contract in a responsible manner; and there exists a lack of clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of various contract validation review boards. Without addressing these issues, DOD risks not having the right contracted services in place to meet drawdown timelines, which may lead to inefficient and wasteful practices as the drawdown continues.

"The drawdown from Iraq is a complex operation of significant magnitude. Established drawdown timelines dictate a reduction in forces to 50,000 troops by August 31, 2010, and a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011. While DOD has made progress toward meeting these goals, a large amount of equipment, personnel, and bases remain to be drawn down. Moreover, escalating U.S. involvement in Afghanistan may increase the pressure on DOD to efficiently execute the drawdown.Due to broad congressional interest in drawdown issues, GAO performed this work under the Comptroller General's Authority. GAO examined (1) the extent to which DOD has planned for the drawdown from Iraq in accordance with set timelines, and (2) factors that may impact the efficient execution of the drawdown. To evaluate these efforts GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from over 20 DOD organizations in the U.S., Kuwait, and Iraq. "

The drawdown from Iraq is a complex operation of significant magnitude. Established drawdown timelines dictate a reduction in forces to 50,000 troops by August 31, 2010, and a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011. While DOD has made progress toward meeting these goals, a large amount of equipment, personnel, and bases remain to be drawn down. Moreover, escalating U.S. involvement in Afghanistan may increase the pressure on DOD to efficiently execute the drawdown. Due to broad congressional interest in drawdown issues, GAO performed this work under the Comptroller General's Authority. GAO examined (1) the extent to which DOD has planned for the drawdown from Iraq in accordance with set timelines, and (2) factors that may impact the efficient execution of the drawdown. To evaluate these efforts GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials from over 20 DOD organizations in the U.S., Kuwait, and Iraq. GAO makes several recommendations to the Secretary of Defense regarding operational planning, the management and transition of contracts, the cost and benefits of transitioning contracts, contract oversight, and DOD's plans for the disposition of equipment. DOD concurred with all but one of GAO's recommendations. GAO revised the last recommendation accordingly.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Actions Needed to Facilitate the Efficient Drawdown of U.S. Forces and Equipment from Iraq

The United States and the Government of Iraq have signed a Security Agreement calling for the drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq. Predicated on that agreement and U.S. Presidential guidance, Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) has issued a plan for the reduction of forces to 50,000 U.S. troops by August 31, 2010, and a complete withdrawal of forces by the end of 2011. The drawdown from Iraq includes the withdrawal of approximately 128,700 U.S. troops, over 115,000 contractor personnel, the closure or transfer of 295 bases, and the retrograde of over 3.3 million pieces of equipment. This report focuses on (1) the extent to which the Department of Defense (DOD) has planned for the drawdown in accordance with timelines set by the Security Agreement and presidential directive; and (2) factors that may impact the efficient execution of the drawdown in accordance with established timelines.

"The drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq and the transition from a U.S. military to a civilian-led presence after December 2011 continue amid an uncertain security and political environment. This report is one in a series of reviews regarding the planning and execution of the drawdown. Specifically, this report assesses the extent to which DOD has planned for, begun to execute, and mitigated risk associated with (1) transferring and removing personnel and equipment from remaining bases in Iraq; (2) curtailing unneeded contract services, transitioning expiring contracts, and providing adequate contract oversight; and (3) facilitating and supporting the transition to a civilian-led presence in Iraq. GAO examined relevant DOD planning documents, attended drawdown-related conferences, interviewed State officials and DOD officials throughout the chain of command in the United States, Kuwait, and Iraq, and visited several locations in Kuwait and Iraq to observe drawdown operations."