Operation Iraqi Freedom: DOD Should Apply Lessons Learned Concerning the Need for Security over Conventional Munitions Storage Sites to Future Operations Planning

摘要

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is releasing a report today on lessons learned concerning the need for security over conventional munitions storage sites that provides the basis for this testimony. Following the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 -- known as Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) -- concerns were raised about how the Department of Defense (DoD) secured Iraqi conventional munitions storage sites during and after major combat operations. This testimony addresses the following: (1) the security provided by U.S. forces over Iraqi conventional munitions storage sites, and (2) DoD actions to mitigate risks associated with an adversary's conventional munitions storage sites for future operations on the basis of OIF lessons learned. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed OIF war plans, joint doctrine and policy, and intelligence reports, and also interviewed senior-level DoD officials. The report GAO is releasing today recommends that the Secretary of Defense direct the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to do the following: (1) conduct a theater-wide survey and risk assessment on unsecured conventional munitions in Iraq, (2) report related risk mitigation strategies and results to Congress, and (3) incorporate conventional munitions storage site security as a strategic planning factor into all levels of planning policy and guidance. DoD partially concurred with GAO's recommendations.