Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

objective will also impact Iraqi capacity for sustaining success in the counterinsurgencyand counterterrorism efforts.Moreover, near-term DoD assistance in the development of an Iraqi Army health caredelivery system and subsequent longer-term U.S. Government support through U.S.interagency health care representatives in Iraq, would enable the U.S. to further developand maintain interoperable military ties with Iraq over the longer term.Without a comprehensive and fully coordinated U.S. and Iraqi government effort, anintegrated Iraqi health care delivery system may not develop upon which a sustainableIraqi Army health care system would have to depend. In addition, until the Iraqi Armyachieves health care sustainability, the U.S. and Coalition partners will have to maintaintheir combat casualty care assistance to support the Iraqi Army.The MHS Strategic Plan states, under “Purpose, Vision, and Strategy,” as notedelsewhere in this report, that “We have a singular opportunity to build bridges to peace inhostile countries. In many circumstances, the MHS will serve as the tip of the spear anda formidable national strategy tool for the nation. And, MHS specifically supports thedesigning and building of health facilities that promote a healing environment during theclinical encounter, empower our patients and families, relieve suffering, and promotelong-term health and wellness. We will employ evidence-based design principles thatlink to improved clinical outcomes, patient and staff safety, and long-term operationalefficiencies.”DoDD 3000.05 states it is DoD policy that:Stability operations are a core U.S. military mission that theDepartment of Defense shall be prepared to conduct and support. Theyshall be given priority comparable to combat operations and beexplicitly addressed and integrated across all DoD activities includingdoctrine, organizations, training, education, exercises, materiel,leadership, personnel, facilities, and planning. . . .Many stability operations tasks are best performed by indigenous,foreign, or U.S. civilian professionals. Nonetheless, U.S. militaryforces shall be prepared to perform all tasks necessary to establish ormaintain order when civilians cannot do so. Successfully performingsuch tasks can help secure a lasting peace and facilitate the timelywithdrawal of U.S. and foreign forces.Additionally, the MHS Strategic Plan, under “Purpose, Vision, and Strategy,” also states,“We must have a willingness to experiment, to create a learning support capacity, and tochallenge our assumptions constantly in light of new challenges. We must take rationalrisks to move our system forward….risks that will place us in uncharted environments.”We believe that it is now time to implement the goals and guidance provided by DoDD3000.05 and the MHS Strategic Plan by initiating operations to build health care systemsthat support U.S. objectives in Iraq.154