The U.S. Army has been found to have mismanaged equipment stockpiles for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), as highlighted in a recent audit by the Department of Defense Inspector General (DOD IG).
The audit revealed that the Army did not adequately maintain Force Provider modules, which are essentially prepositioned “tent cities” consisting of 24 to 32 shipping containers filled with materials necessary for establishing housing, kitchens, and other facilities. These modules are deployed in four locations worldwide, including areas under CENTCOM’s jurisdiction.
The report criticized Army officials for “ineffective management” of the Care of Supplies in Storage (COSIS) maintenance and storage requirements for these Force Provider modules. Notably, the Integrated Logistics Support Center at the Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM ILSC) was specifically singled out for not properly managing or training contractors responsible for maintaining the modules.
The issues appear to have originated in 2016 when the Army awarded a $23.8 million contract to an undisclosed company for maintaining the Force Provider modules. In 2020, the Army reassigned maintenance responsibilities, but it was not until April 2024 that specific maintenance requirements were added for the Force Provider modules.
Troops in the field have voiced concerns about malfunctioning equipment. Reports from 2022 indicated that units received Force Provider containers with damaged tents, broken generators, and inoperable laundry facilities and showers. Auditors noted that had proper measures been taken to account for maintenance needs, many of these defects would have been detected prior to deployment.
Confusion around inspection requirements also surfaced, particularly regarding equipment stored outdoors. During a training event in June 2024, TACOM instructed officials to protect Force Provider modules from environmental elements, but the actual maintenance plan lacked protective measures for outdoor storage.
Additionally, TACOM failed to guarantee that contractors were adequately trained in equipment maintenance. Proper procedures dictate that containers are to be opened in a manner that preserves their contents, yet documentation surrounding the necessary training has been insufficient. Concerns were raised about qualified personnel being cycled out before new staff could be properly trained under the new contractor.
The audit also highlighted that different equipment requires varying levels of maintenance. For over four years, contractors failed to account for maintenance needs of specific items like skid steers, due to a simplified accounting approach mandated by TACOM ILSC that grouped all components into single line items.
The lack of proper accounting can severely impact operational readiness, as noted during the COVID-19 pandemic when Army personnel discovered the absence of fully functioning ventilators due to improper inventory management.
In response to these findings, the DOD IG recommended that TACOM’s Integrated Logistics Support Center update its 2011 Care of Supplies in Storage plan. The updated plan should define environmental storage and maintenance requirements specific to outdoor conditions, outline definitive maintenance intervals, and clarify training responsibilities for Force Provider module maintenance.
