Overseas Contingency Operations
Mr. Michael S. Child, Sr., Deputy Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operations
Responsibilities include:
- Supports lead inspector general responsibilities
- Coordinates and develops interagency strategic oversight plans for overseas contingency operations.
- Ensures effective outreach among oversight organizations and theater leadership
- Identifies gaps and overlaps, conflicting priorities, and senior leadership requests in the planning and execution of oversight activities
Strategic Oversight Issue Areas:
- Oversight of Contracts
- Operations
- Governance
- Humanitarian and Development Assistance
- Intelligence
- Fraud and Corruption
December 3, 2015
| Lead Inspector General for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel | Quarterly and Biannual Report to the United States Congress | September 30, 2015 |
Our report examines U.S. activities in support of the OFS mission in this fluid operational environment. Afghanistan’s National Unity Government completed its first year in office on September 29, 2015, one day after the Taliban attacked and occupied the provincial capital of Kunduz. This high-profile attack demonstrated the challenges the Afghan government faces, with support from the United States and the international coalition, in bringing stability to the nation. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) were able to take back control of the city in mid-October. On October 15, 2015, President Obama announced his decision to keep the current U.S. troop level of 9,800 through most of 2016 and to draw down to 5,500 by the end of 2016. The Lead IG agencies, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, and other oversight partners continue to examine the sustainment of the ANDSF and the essential functions that support them, as well as the transition to a reduced military footprint in the future. We are also monitoring the capacity building and capabilities of the Afghan Special Security Forces (ASSF), which has assumed increased responsibility for counterterrorism operations, a mission new with the designation of OFS. During this biannual reporting period, U.S. oversight agencies released 13 reports and have 38 ongoing and planned oversight projects related to the Resolute Support mission, ANDSF capacity building, and counterterrorism. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Oversight Plan for Overseas Contingency Operations (COP-OCO), including the Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for Afghanistan featuring OFS oversight activities, became effective October 1, 2015. Section 8L provides a mandate for the three Lead IG agencies—the Department of Defense Inspector General , Department of State Office of Inspector General , and U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General—to work together to develop and carry out joint, comprehensive, and strategic oversight. Each IG retains statutory independence, but together, they will apply their extensive regional experience and in-depth institutional knowledge to conduct integrated, strategic oversight. To view or download this Quarterly Report and Biannual Report to the United States Congress, September 30, 2015, click here |
This combined Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly and biannual report to Congress on Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS) includes our second quarterly report on the overseas contingency operation as well as Lead IG oversight for the 6-month period, ending September 30, 2015. OFS has two complementary missions in Afghanistan: U.S. counterterrorism operations and U.S. support for NATO’s Resolute Support capacity building effort.November 25, 2015
| Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve | Quarterly and Biannual Report to the United States Congress | September 30, 2015 |
This combined Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly and biannual report to Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) includes our third quarterly report on the overseas contingency operation as well as Lead IG oversight for the 6-month period, ending September 30, 2015. OIR is dedicated to countering the terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, Syria, the region, and the broader international community. The U.S. counter ISIL strategy includes support to military operations associated with OIR as well as diplomacy, governance, security programs and activities, and, separately, humanitarian assistance. The dynamic and changing nature of this U.S. and coalition effort, as well as the grave situation for those fleeing the region, are discussed in this report. The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL continued its work toward defeating a brutal enemy. Three more countries joined 60 existing members of the coalition, and Turkey agreed to coalition use of Incirlik Air Base for drone and airstrike activities. Russia entered into theater with a separate strategy—one that conflicts with U.S. aims regarding the future of the Syrian regime. The highly fluid operational environment has challenged momentum and required constant reassessment of policy and strategy. General John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition, shared his views on the first year of the counter-ISIL strategy, which are featured in this report. During this biannual reporting period, oversight efforts by the Lead IG agencies produced 12 reports, which led to many recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The 31 ongoing and 10 planned projects conducted by the Lead IG and partner oversight agencies give a sense of the larger context of the contingency. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Oversight Plan for Overseas Contingency Operations (COP-OCO), including the Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for OIR, became effective October 1, 2015. Section 8L provides a mandate for the three Lead IG agencies—the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG), Department of State Office of Inspector General (DoS OIG), and U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General (USAID OIG)—to work together to develop and carry out joint, comprehensive, and strategic oversight. Each IG retains statutory independence, but together, they will apply their extensive regional experience and in-depth institutional knowledge to conduct integrated, strategic oversight of the whole-of-government mission to destroy ISIL and address the severe humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria. To view or download the print version of this Quarterly Report and Biannual Report to the United States Congress, September 30, 2015, click here |
November 16, 2015
| Lead Inspector General for Operation United Assistance | Quarterly Progress Report on U.S. Government’s Activities | International Ebola Response and Preparedness | September 30, 2015 |
This is the third and final report to Congress describing the U.S. Government’s response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa. This report addresses a range of U.S. government activities, including those associated with Operation United Assistance, the Department of Defense (DoD) mission to help combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and features related developments and activities. This report meets quarterly reporting requirements to Congress established under Section 8L of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), and covers the period July 1, 2015, to September 30, 2015. As of October 4, 2015, the Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa was the largest outbreak of the disease recorded with 28,457 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases that had resulted in the deaths of 11,312 people worldwide. The U.S. Government agencies have reported approximately $2.5 billion in obligations toward these international Ebola response, recovery, and preparedness efforts. Response efforts, including those on the part of the U.S. Government, contributed to a reduction in the incidence of the disease to the point that no active cases were reported at the end the reporting period on September 30, 2015. This report provides background on the Ebola virus and the progression of the West Africa outbreak during the reporting period ending September 30, 2015, as well as its secondary effects on the three countries primarily affected— Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It also provides information on the U.S. Government’s strategy for addressing the outbreak, as well as related funding, staffing, and activities.
Under the auspices of a lead inspector general designated from among the three OIGs, the Offices of Inspector General (OIGs) for DoD, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department of State formed a collaborative partnership to provide oversight of designated overseas contingency operations. The report reflects the oversight, coordination, and planning work undertaken by these OIGs as well as the OIG for the Department of Health and Human Services, which has been a primary participant in U.S. Government efforts to combat Ebola.
DoD’s IG was designated as the Lead IG on February 24, 2015, after the designation of a contingency operation (Operation United Assistance). The DoD IG, in turn, appointed USAID’s Acting Deputy IG as the Associate IG to lead related oversight planning, coordination, and reporting activities. Section 8L authorities and requirements under the IG Act relating to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa concluded at the end of fiscal year 2015 To view the Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, click here. |
