Pentagon Accepts GAO Recommendations to Strengthen Civilian Oversight of Special Operations Acquisitions

The Pentagon has agreed with three Government Accountability Office recommendations to improve oversight of weapons acquisition for special operations forces, according to a GAO report released today. U.S. Special Operations Command.

GAO reviewed nine major capability acquisition programs: the AC-130J Ghostrider, Skyraider II, Silent Knight Radar, Dry Combat Submersible, Dry Deck Shelter Extension, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Mk 11, Mk 18 Mod 1 UUV, MH-47G Block II Chinook, and MH-60M Block I Black Hawk.

GAO found that ASD(SO/LIC) cannot effectively conduct program oversight because Department of Defense policy has not fully enabled the office to perform its acquisition-related responsibilities. The report noted disagreement between ASD(SO/LIC) and SOCOM officials on the level of access the civilian office should have to some programs and meetings.

"We found that these [civilian] officials can’t effectively carry out the office’s oversight responsibilities as they can’t always get access to relevant program information or meetings," GAO said. The lack of access makes it harder for ASD(SO/LIC) to ensure acquisition programs align with DOD priorities on budget and capabilities, the report stated.

GAO issued three recommendations to address the oversight gaps.

An AC-130J Ghostrider from the 73rd Special Operations Squadron landed at Kadena Air Base on March 29, 2021. The aircraft, regularly stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, marked the first time the updated J model of the AC-130 had landed or operated in Japan.

The photo was taken by Capt. U.S. Air Force. Breaking Defense published an eBook on how AI is shaping geospatial intelligence, drawing from reporting at GEOINT 2026 on space-based geospatial intelligence.