U.S. Army Central IG Information Exchange in Riyadh

Photo By Sgt. Joseph Black | Irfan Bandoo, director of the internal review for U.S. Army Central, speaks to attendees of the first-ever U.S / Saudi Inspector General to Inspector General Subject Matter Expert Information Exchange held at the Saudi Arabia Armed Forces Officer Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2024, about the auditing and inspections process within the inspector general program. Also discussed at the workshop were the four functions of the IG program: Assistance, Inspections, Investigations, and Teaching and Training, which are how inspectors generally compartmentalize to support the commander’s objectives effectively. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joseph Black)  

SAUDI ARABIA

01.25.2024

Story by Sgt. Joseph Black 

U.S. Army Central   

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (January 25, 2024) – Inspectors general assigned to U.S. Army Central, Task Force Spartan, and U.S. Central Command held a U.S / Saudi Inspector General to Inspector General Workshop hosted by the Saudi Armed Forces Inspectorate (SAFI) at the Saudi Armed Forces Officer Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 21 through Jan. 25.
Task Force Spartan Deputy Commanding General for Support, Brig. Gen. Marlena DeCelle, gave the opening remarks and congratulated the Saudi’s on their 2030 transformation efforts.
“It is an honor to be present today for the first US-to-Saudi Inspector General-to-Inspector General subject matter expert exchange,” said DeCelle. “We look forward to sharing best practices and forging a solid partnership that will endure for many years.”
Inspectors general with SAFI and the General Directorate of Auditing and Inspections (GDA&I) attended the exchange to share best practices with their U.S. counterparts, said Col. Ruth Kane, command inspector general for U.S. Army Central.
“The value of this exchange is that it builds on our long-standing relationship with the Saudi Armed Forces,” said Kane. “We have a nearly 80-year relationship, and this event is another layer in building upon that strong foundation of trust between our Saudi partners; it allows us to share best practices to enhance our IG systems that gauge readiness, improve discipline, and enhance warfighting functions”.
The workshop covered multiple topics, including the four functions of the IG system: Assistance, Inspections, Investigations, and Teach and Training, said U.S. Army Maj Ryan Goodin, an inspector general assigned to U.S. Army Central.
“These four functions are how inspectors generals compartmentalize to support the commander’s objectives effectively,” said Goodin.
The auditing process was also covered during the exchange, presented by Irfan Bandoo, director of internal review for U.S. Army Central.
“The development of an auditing program is an instrumental part of any organization,” said Bandoo. “Conducting audits provides senior leadership with timely, accurate, complete, relevant, and reliable information on how government resources are used and how efficient and effective programs and operations are conducted. This enables those individuals charged with governance to make informed decisions and to take decisive actions.”
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andrew Hoeprich, chief of assistance and investigations for U.S. Army Central, also spoke on IG’s important role in the military.
“Inspectors general serve as the commander's eyes, ears, and conscience,” said Hoeprich. “We are on the ground speaking with the Soldiers, understanding any challenges they may face, and teaching command teams and Soldiers the correct process for resolving issues.”
“It is an honor to be requested to conduct this workshop,” said Kane. “When we can share information with our partners, both organizations benefit.
Hoeprich concluded by sharing his hopes for future exchanges of this kind.
“I would love to see these information exchanges continue in the future,” said Hoeprich. “We are laying the foundation now, then in the future, focusing on specific areas based on their needs.”

• Date Taken: 01.25.2024
• Date Posted: 04.01.2024 13:21
• Story ID: 467452
• Location: SA