Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released two reports regarding the management of munitions storage within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, “Audit of Munitions Storage at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar” and “Audit of Munitions Storage at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.”
These reports, the first two in a series of four audits reviewing munitions storage within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, highlight findings regarding the Air Force’s and Army’s management of munitions storage.
“The reports determined that officials at Al Udeid Air Base and Camp Arifjan inconsistently followed safety and security policies when storing munitions,” said IG Storch. “Mishandling or improper munitions storage can lead to accidents, injuries, and other tragic consequences. By following established policies, the DoD can significantly reduce the risk of such incidents."
In the report on Al Udeid Air Base, the audit found that while safety and security policies were generally followed, there is room for improvement in managing munitions storage. The report identified that U.S. Air Forces Central (USAFCENT) officials and contractor personnel did not manage munitions storage by approved net explosive weight limits for some munitions storage structures for over a year. Additionally, USAFCENT officials and contractor personnel did not track the net explosive weight totals for munitions stored by two Al Udeid Air Base tenant organizations. The DoD OIG also found that weapons safety managers were unaware of the net explosive weight totals in munitions storage structures. During the audit, Air Force officials began taking steps to address some of the findings.
Similarly, the report on Camp Arifjan highlights the Army’s inconsistent adherence to safety and security policies in storing munitions. Issues identified in the report include that Army officials stored munitions without an approved site plan, did not manage munitions storage by approved net explosive weight limits, did not maintain awareness of net explosive weight limits in munitions storage structures, did not ensure risk acceptance requirements were met for waiving lightning protection systems, and did not remove flammable vegetation surrounding munitions storage structures. During the audit, Army officials took some corrective action and stopped storing munitions without approved site plans.
The DoD OIG issued multiple recommendations to Air Force and Army officials to enhance management processes in this important area.