GAO has identified spare parts supply as a long-standing Department of Defense (DOD) management problem. In December 2003, GAO reported on problems with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) logistics support including shortages of spare parts and supplies in Iraq. This report expands on that effort by assessing (1) what supply shortages were experienced by U.S. forces in Iraq between October 2002 and September 2004 and what impact the shortages had on their operations, (2) what primary deficiencies in the supply system contributed to any identified supply shortages, and (3) what actions DOD has taken to improve the timely availability of supplies for current and future operations. To address these objectives, GAO judgmentally selected nine items based on lessons learned and after-action reports that represented possible shortages with operational impacts.
This report contains several recommendations to the Secretary of Defense directing that actions, such as ensuring the accuracy of Army war reserve requirements and developing and exercising deployable distribution capabilities, be taken to improve DOD's system for supplying items to U.S. forces. DOD concurred with the intent of the recommendations and cited actions it has taken or will be taking.
