This combined Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly and biannual report to Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) includes our third quarterly report on the overseas contingency operation as well as Lead IG oversight for the 6-month period, ending September 30, 2015. OIR is dedicated to countering the terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, Syria, the region, and the broader international community. The U.S. counter ISIL strategy includes support to military operations associated with OIR as well as diplomacy, governance, security programs and activities, and, separately, humanitarian assistance.
The dynamic and changing nature of this U.S. and coalition effort, as well as the grave situation for those fleeing the region, are discussed in this report. The Global Coalition to Counter ISIL continued its work toward defeating a brutal enemy. Three more countries joined 60 existing members of the coalition, and Turkey agreed to coalition use of Incirlik Air Base for drone and airstrike activities. Russia entered into theater with a separate strategy—one that conflicts with U.S. aims regarding the future of the Syrian regime.
The highly fluid operational environment has challenged momentum and required constant reassessment of policy and strategy. General John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition, shared his views on the first year of the counter-ISIL strategy, which are featured in this report.
During this biannual reporting period, oversight efforts by the Lead IG agencies produced 12 reports, which led to many recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The 31 ongoing and 10 planned projects conducted by the Lead IG and partner oversight agencies give a sense of the larger context of the contingency. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Oversight Plan for Overseas Contingency Operations (COP-OCO), including the Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for OIR, became effective October 1, 2015.
Section 8L provides a mandate for the three Lead IG agencies—the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG), Department of State Office of Inspector General (DoS OIG), and U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General (USAID OIG)—to work together to develop and carry out joint, comprehensive, and strategic oversight. Each IG retains statutory independence, but together, they will apply their extensive regional experience and in-depth institutional knowledge to conduct integrated, strategic oversight of the whole-of-government mission to destroy ISIL and address the severe humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria.