Stabilizing Iraq: DoD Cannot Ensure That U.S.-Funded Equipment Has Reached Iraqi Security Forces

Since 2003, the United States has provided about $19.2 billion to develop Iraqi security forces. DoD recently requested an additional $2 billion to continue this effort. Components of the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I), including the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I), are responsible for implementing the U.S. program to train and equip Iraqi forces. This report does the following: (1) examines the property accountability procedures DoD and MNF-I applied to the U.S. train-and-equip program for Iraq, and (2) assesses whether DoD and MNF-I can account for the U.S.-funded equipment issued to the Iraqi security forces. To accomplish these objectives, GAO reviewed MNSTC-I property books as of January 2007 and interviewed current and former officials from DoD and MNF-I. To help ensure that U.S.-funded equipment reaches Iraqi security forces as intended, GAO recommends that the Secretary of Defense do the following: (1) determine what DoD accountability procedures apply or should apply to the program; and (2) after defining these procedures, ensure that sufficient staff, functioning distribution networks, and proper technology are available to meet the new requirements. DoD concurred with both recommendations. Report to Congressional Committees.