Projects to Develop the Iraqi Special Operations Forces

Abstract : This report is to bring to your attention the concerns of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) about a Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraqi (MNSTC-I) program to develop the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (SOF). About $326 million was obligated from the Iraq Security Forces Fund to develop these forces. We reviewed two contracts awarded to provide the Iraqi SOF with a counter-terrorism communications network and intelligence database. Together, the contracts were to provide: (1) a secure communications network known as the Counter-Terrorism Network, or CTNET, that links major counter-terrorism centers in Iraq; (2) a software system (known as Memex) that uses CTNET to consolidate field reports to identify terrorist networks, targets, and their activities; and (3) training in the use and maintenance of both systems. The CTNET contract ended in June 2008 and the Memex contract ended in February 2009. The two contracts together had a total cost of about $19.3 million. The CTNET and its associated Memex software appear to be available to the Iraqi SOF.