Military supply lines to Afghanistan fraught with problems: auditor general

OTTAWA — The long supply line that brings beans, bullets, bandages and everything else needed for the troops in Afghanistan owes its success more to hard work and dedicated people than to slick organization, the auditor general reports.

Sheila Fraser says shortcomings in the supply system have caused delays in getting supplies to the soldiers on the ground - but they're getting what they need, regardless.

"We found no reports of supply chain problems that had significantly affected operations," she wrote. "This is largely because the high level of dedication and hard work of Canadian Forces personnel enabled them to deliver the needed support."

She warned, though, that problems may develop down the road if improvements aren't made.

The report found the supply system lacks a reliable method of tracking goods along the chain from Canada to Kandahar. Once supplies arrive, they have to be tracked manually.

For example, the report said, in one supply inventory, a defence team couldn't locate $7 million worth of items. On the other hand, they located $6.6 million worth of goods that weren't supposed to be there.

Transportation bottlenecks can slow deliveries of spare parts and equipment. Some shipments were delayed because the vehicles used to load airplanes back home broke down, leading to backlogs.

Medical supplies can be a problem because they tend to be expensive and must be purchased through tenders.

The report noted that the Defence Department tripled the number of support personnel for the mission between May 2006 and July 2007.

It also said the system works well at keeping its key combat vehicles running, with serviceability rates of 80 per cent or better.

"This is despite harsh operating conditions, damage from enemy action, parts shortages and modifications made on site."

Fraser pointed out that some of the problems may be endemic for major military operations conducted in tough conditions far from home.

She said the Americans and the British, despite vast experience in overseas combat missions, have problems similar to the ones she found.

"Some of the issues may be inevitable for military operations with long supply chains."

The Defence Department has promised to improve the system to better track items and develop ways to measure its performance. It also said it will develop a better method of tracking inventories and keeping the storehouse shelves stocked.

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Military supply lines to Afghanistan fraught with problems: auditor general

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