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Toward A Self-Sufficient Iraqi Security Force

Long-term peace and security in Iraq depend on a stable, self sufficient Iraqi security force (ISF). U.S. and coalition efforts thus far have emphasized operational units and equipment, with less attention on logistics. The ISF lacks established budgeting, planning, procurement, and financial processes and systems that can fulfill current and future operational requirements for logistics support. Without this infrastructure, the ISF can operate effectively only with the support of U.S. logistics elements.

The Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior must create or enhance the organizations, infrastructure, policies, and systems to manage and execute a host of logistics operations at the national level—with immediate emphasis on procurement, distribution, asset management, and financial management. To help with this endeavor, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (AT&L) has deployed a team of government officials and analysts to lead U.S. efforts to build an effective and self-sustaining ISF. LMI will support this initiative by deploying analysts to Baghdad as part of the team.

Initially, this team will evaluate current strategic procurement and logistics support capabilities, analyzing the organizations and physically inspecting and inventorying the resources and capabilities. The first priority is the Iraqi supply chains for bulk fuel, repair parts, and ammunition. Some work will be performed in the “green zone,” but much of it will require visits to Iraqi supply depots and ministerial headquarters.

Following the initial assessment, the team will prepare a transitional development plan for closing gaps in these capabilities and moving the Iraqi government to logistics self-reliance. The plan will carefully consider the Iraqi culture in delineating training programs, business processes, supply chain requirements, information technology systems, medical logistics, and other aspects of an overall logistics support environment.

Success will depend in part on applying LMI’s analytical expertise in logistics, but mostly on the team’s ability to forge long-term professional relationships with responsible Iraqis. Given the complexity of the task and the importance of the strategic goal—building a self-sustaining ISF—this will be a lasting endeavor involving the close cooperation of Iraqi and American organizations.