DOD IG to evaluate CENTCOM's ability to defend against missiles, UAS

The Defense Department inspector general has begun an evaluation of whether U.S. Central Command can properly defend itself against missiles and unmanned aircraft systems.

"The objective of this evaluation is to determine whether U.S. Central Command is prepared to defend critical assets within its area of responsibility against missile and unmanned aircraft system threats," a Feb. 18 DOD IG memo states.

The IG will "perform the evaluation in the United States, and the U.S. Central Command area of operations. We will coordinate with U.S. Central Command, U.S. Central Command's Service Component Headquarters, and other DOD agencies or commands," the memo reads, adding: "We may identify additional locations to perform fieldwork during the scoping process of our evaluation."

In his command's posture statement submitted to Congress last March, CENTCOM chief Gen. Joseph Votel said his organization would "continue to support our regional partners developing processes and procedures to counter ballistic missiles (CBM) and counter unmanned armed aerial systems (C-UAS) to help mitigate threats to civilian populations and critical infrastructure."

CENTCOM's 2019 posture statement also highlighted the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization. JIDO "provides a best-in-class example of a successful, nimble, and responsive capability in support of the warfighter. CENTCOM relies heavily on the critical, life-saving training, technology, and expertise JIDO provides to safeguard U.S. and allied forces from many of the most dangerous, emerging threats on the battlefield, including improvised explosive devices; unmanned, armed aerial and maritime vehicles; and other improvised threats. JIDO's functions are not replicated in any of the services, demonstrate enormous value, and are worthy of continued resourcing through DTRA."