Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

Observation 11. Iraq Ministry of Defense – LogisticsGuidanceCoalition logistics experts have been developing various models of logistics processes tobe followed by the MoD and the IA since 2003. These processes have been developed(mostly modeled on U.S. and western logistics principles) to varying degrees ofspecificity in a series of unofficial draft documents produced in English. Nevertheless,official Iraqi guidance clearly describing the logistics policies, processes, and proceduresfor the MoD and IA had not been formally issued.As a result, the logistics processes and procedures followed within the Iraqi MoD and IAare not standardized, and they are not clearly understood by the Coalition logisticsmentors and trainers whose job it is to assist in the operational and tacticalimplementation of the Iraqi logistics system. The logistics capability development of theMoD and the IA has consequently been delayed.Applicable CriteriaDoD Directive 3000.05. DoDD 3000.05, “Military Support for Stability, Security,Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) Operations,” November 28, 2005, providesguidance on stability operations that will evolve over time as joint operating concepts,mission sets, and lessons learned develop and establishes DoD policy and assignsresponsibilities within the DoD for planning, training, and preparing to conduct andsupport stability operations.Draft Ministry of Defense Logistics GuidanceThe assessment team obtained several draft MoD logistics organizational documents,which together detailed a systematic approach for the development of a sustainable IraqiArmy logistics system. All of the “Iraqi” logistics documents we obtained were inEnglish and only a few had Arabic counterparts. We were unable to determine the degreeto which these documents had been formally accepted and adopted as Iraqi MoD standardprocedures. It did appear, however, that despite the absence of official Iraqi documents,the logistics procedures detailed in these draft directives were, in many cases, beingfollowed within the Iraqi MoD and the IA logistics system.• Ministry of Defense Policy Administration – Policy on Writing Policies, 1 Sep2005 (Unsigned draft)• Ministry of Defense Administration – Policy on Asset Accountability andVisibility within the Iraqi Armed Forces, 30 May 2006, (Unsigned draft)• Ministry of Defense Administration – Policy on Distribution within the IraqiArmed Forces, 30 May 2006, (Unsigned draft)• Ministry of Defense Administration – Policy on Supply Management Procedureswithin the Iraqi Armed Forces, 12 Jun 2006, (Unsigned draft)85