DoD Oversight of Private Security Contractors in Iraq Was Sufficient, but Contractors May Not Deter Attacks on Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq Enduring Sites (REDACTED)
Abstract
What We Did. Our objective was to determine whether DoD adequately administered and managed private security contractors (PSCs ). Specifically, we evaluated contract requirements and related security control measures and procedures for access to U.S. military installations in Iraq. We identified concerns related to the future role of PSCs in Iraq; therefore, we evaluated the private security contract requirements for the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) enduring sites. What We Found. DoD officials adequately administered and provided oversight of PSCs at Victory Base Complex and Forward Operating Base Hammer. In addition, U.S. Forces-Iraq had adequately planned for the use of PSCs during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. As a result, we identified only minor concerns related to training requirements and weapons qualifications. However, the PSC guards did not always deter insurgents from attacking military installations in Iraq as the security requirements in the private security contract were not adequate. Specifically, U.S. military commanders at 5 of 30 installations using PSC guards supplemented the guards with military personnel during times of heightened threat. In addition, PSC guards did not return fire on insurgents during two separate attacks. The U.S. military augmentation occurred because the PSC staffing level is based on the threat level at the time the contract is awarded and does not allow increased staffing commensurate with the changes in the threat level without a contract modification. In addition, contract restrictions and international agreements limited the PSCs' ability to react to threats and place the PSC guards under Iraqi jurisdiction for acts considered to be criminal, which may cause the guards to delay in returning fire on insurgents. As a result, U.S. Government and contractor personnel and assets will likely be at an increased risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1016436