This FY 2016 Comprehensive Oversight Plan for Overseas Contingency Operations (COP-OCO) marks the first of its kind under the new Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) model. The primary contributors are the three Lead IG agencies of DoD, DOS, and USAID. Additional contributors include the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the U.S. Army Audit Agency (AAA), the Naval Audit Service (NAVAUDSVC), the U.S. Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA), and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Known formerly as the Comprehensive Oversight Plan for Southwest Asia (COPSWA), the content and structure of the COP-OCO have expanded to include Lead IG oversight requirements directed by Congress in the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, enacted in January 2013. Section 8L of the IG Act of 1978, as amended, details oversight and reporting requirements for OCOs.
This COP-OCO includes the Joint Strategic Oversight Plans (JSOP) for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Afghanistan. The Afghanistan JSOP includes Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS), as well as reconstruction and humanitarian assistance programs and activities that are separate from OFS.
The COP–OCO is divided into four main sections.
- Section 1 contains the JSOP for Afghanistan, which includes oversight planning information on OFS, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance, as well as the listing of all oversight projects concerning Afghanistan.
- Section 2 contains the JSOP for OIR, as well as the listing of all oversight projects concerning OIR and additional humanitarian assistance efforts.
- Section 3 provides project information for all other Southwest Asia (SWA) projects.
- Section 4 lists the oversight projects completed in FY 2015.
As of September 30, 2015, the Federal and Service oversight agencies had completed 177 projects, which have made findings and recommendations to improve internal controls, reduce costs, ensure safety, and improve operational efficiencies. Federal and Service oversight agencies continue to monitor, audit, and evaluate these complex overseas contingency operations, as well as other programs and activities within SWA.
As these whole-of-government efforts evolve, we may identify other Federal oversight agencies undertaking necessary projects in SWA. As we do, the COP–OCO will expand accordingly. Together, this coordinated oversight across agency jurisdictional boundaries results in effective whole-of-government oversight to assist Congress and agency leaders in making informed program, policy, and funding decisions.