**GAO-07-696**                      Published: Jun 20, 2007. Publicly Released: Jul 23, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

An influenza pandemic could impair the military's readiness, jeopardize ongoing military operations abroad, and threaten the day-to-day functioning of the Department of Defense (DOD) due to a large percentage of sick or absent personnel. GAO was asked to examine DOD's pandemic influenza planning and preparedness efforts. GAO previously reported that DOD had taken numerous actions to prepare departmentwide, but faced four management challenges as it continued its efforts. GAO made recommendations to address these challenges and DOD generally concurred with them. This report focuses on DOD's combatant commands (COCOM) and addresses (1) actions the COCOMs have taken to prepare and (2) management challenges COCOMs face going forward. GAO reviewed guidance, plans, and after-action reports and interviewed DOD officials and more than 200 officials at the 9 COCOMs.

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## Topics

Health Care

Defense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningEmergency preparednessHomeland securityInfectious diseasesMilitary forcesPandemicPublic healthStrategic planningInfluenza