Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

The Location Commands organized committees on their garrisons that included theLocation Commander and unit tenant commanders on each base, to determine whatfunding support from the soldier stipends should be apportioned to cover LocationCommand Operation and Maintenance expenses. The Location Commander at Tajiindicated that this arrangement had not covered his Operation and Maintenance costs andtherefore commonly shared base service support functions had not been sufficientlyfunded.MoD OutlookOfficials in the MoD and JHQ were aware of the perceived shortfall in life supportfunding. Indeed, an inspection of Taji Base by the JHQ Inspector General in April 2008revealed significant widespread problems in food services, sanitation, and livingconditions resulting from inadequate life support funding at Taji. The difficulty inmeeting food service and sanitation standards may be transitory and resulting from theinstability that accompanied the December 2007 transition to LSSR. Most troubling,however, were the reports we received that the MoD was unresponsive to repeatedrequests from field units for guidance and assistance in resolving their life support issues.MoD leaders admitted that the transition to LSSR had not been without start-up problemsbut that if the Location Commands lacked the funds to properly support the assignedunits in their area of responsibility, they should request additional funding. Althoughthere appeared to be a disconnect between the MoD and Location Commands on the factor extent of actual funding shortfalls, it was apparent, in addition, that the LocationCommands lacked the proper level of planning and budgeting expertise, and they werealso unsure of the proper methodology for requesting additional resources from the MoDin order to receive sufficient funding and other support.Further exacerbating the tension between the Location Commands and the ministry wasthe underlying perception that the MoD would not provide the required support or thatfunds allocated for additional support would become “lost” in the bureaucratic process.The move to Life-Support Self-Reliance has been a significant step toward maturity andlogistics sustainability for the MoD and the Iraqi Army; however, its implementation mayhave been hasty and not sufficiently planned. It was encouraging to note that the JHQInspector General and auditors from MoD Central Auditing were engaged in evaluatingthe problems associated with implementation of Life-Support Self-Reliance.As the Iraqi Army moves toward logistics self sustainment, it is important that Coalitionsustainment professionals assist where possible to identify problems and assist the MoD,JHQ, and Iraqi Army in implementing prompt “Iraqi” solutions.91