Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

Report No. SPO-2009-002 (Project No. D2008-D000IG-0141.02)December 19, 2008critically needed equipment, such as computers, monitors, laser printers, and medicalsupplies had been stored in the Abu Ghraib warehouse for up to 2 years without apparentrequirements providing for their further disposition.As U.S. forces are projected to draw down in the near future, it is essential that plannersand policymakers retain a sufficient cadre of logistics trainers and advisors in Iraqi toensure achievement of ISF logistics sustainment capability.Medical SustainabilityIndependent, effective ISF operations will depend on an ISF health care delivery systemthat provides acceptable field-level combat casualty care, evacuation of casualties,restorative surgery and rehabilitation, and long-term care for disabled ISF personnel. TheIraqi Police obtained their medical care from civilian sources, so the medical section ofthis report focuses on the Iraqi Army. A sustainable Iraqi Army health care system willalso depend on an integrated Iraqi civil-military health care system in which civilianclinical services, medical education, and medical logistics adequately support Iraqi Armyneeds. The complexity of medical stabilization and reconstruction challenges in Iraq alsorequires a robust, unified U.S. interagency and international effort driven by a detailed,multi-year strategy and reconstruction plan.Notable progress has been made. The MNF-I Surgeon has reinvigorated an interagency,civil-military coordination forum with U.S. Mission–Iraq to synchronize U.S. healthsector reconstruction activities. Intensive mentoring of Iraqi Air Force aeromedicalpersonnel by Coalition Air Force Training Team paid dividends in successful ISFcasualty evacuation during the Basra operations the spring of 2008. In addition, a strongrelationship among MNSTC-I, Iraqi Army Surgeon General, and the Iraqi Army Supportand Services Institute has set the conditions for effective, comprehensive training of IraqiArmy medical staff.However, there are still significant challenges ahead in assisting and mentoring thedevelopment of the Iraqi Army’s medical capability to achieve the end state of a selfreliant,self-sustaining medical care system. The Iraqi Army Health Care System iscurrently unable to support its combat operations but rather is dependent on the U.S. andCoalition for casualty care.In order to achieve the goal of health care self-reliance and sustainability, the Iraqi Armyneeds to develop a comprehensive, multi-year strategy, with supporting doctrine anddefined end-states, as well as build stronger partnerships with Coalition forces to developIraqi Army medical care through mentoring and other assistance.But, the U.S. interagency medical mentoring of Iraqi Army suffered from a lack ofplanning and specific, prioritized medical objectives. U.S. and other Coalition Forcesneed to develop a comprehensive, phased, integrated multi-year medical mentoring planto assist the Iraqi Army achieve an operationally sustainable health care delivery system.To implement such a plan, Coalition medical mentoring needs significant reinforcement.iv