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Operation Desert Storm: Improved Air Force Procedures Are Needed for Special Project Supply Orders

NSIAD-92-81 Published: Jan 31, 1992. Publicly Released: Mar 09, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the reliability, maintainability, and supportability of Air Force weapon systems during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, focusing on supply backorders that the Air Force made in support of Operation Desert Storm that were still outstanding as of July 1991.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should require a review of the units still authorized to use the Desert Storm special project code to determine whether it is still justified.
Closed – Implemented
DOD reviewed the justification for continuing the use of the Desert Storm special project code. As a result of this review, the use of the code has been extended until November 30, 1993 for a limited number of designated operational units deployed into Southwest Asia for Operation Desert Sortie, and for reconstitution of prepositioned war reserve materiel. Other units modified the requisitions.
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should require the major commands to expeditiously cancel all backorders for Operation Desert Storm as authorized units complete their participation.
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force identified units that were still authorized to receive requisitions with Desert Storm priority and to submit requisitions under the Desert Storm project code. Action was taken to cancel outstanding Desert Storm requisitions for units no longer authorized to use the special project code. The value of these requisitions is estimated to be $22.6 million.
Department of the Air Force Given the widespread use of special project codes, the Secretary of the Air Force should require the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics to revise procedures in Air Force Manual 67-1 to improve the Air Force's management of supply procedures for special projects. Revised procedures should specify: (1) who is responsible for managing backorders for special projects; (2) how and when backorders should be cancelled as special projects are completed; and (3) how responsibilities and procedures will differ, if at all, for peacetime and wartime special projects.
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force published revised procedures in Air Force Manual 67-1 specifying who is responsible for managing backorders for special projects and how and when backorders for special projects should be cancelled. Air Force officials noted that these improvements should significantly reduce the number of units that countine to use special project codes after the authorization period.

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Topics

Accounting proceduresAir Force procurementAir Force suppliesInternal controlsInventory control systemsLogisticsMilitary cost controlMilitary inventoriesMilitary materielMilitary operations