Pentagon saved billions by taking watchdog's advice on Afghanistan projects

Pentagon officials have saved $1.1 billion by implementing 161 of the 209 suggestions the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has issued since 2008 for ways to avoid unnecessary spending by the federal government, improve safety for Americans and Afghans and increase accountability to U.S. taxpayers.

The remaining 48 recommendations were either closed without being implemented or remain open and pending, according to a report on the status of all recommendations made public Tuesday by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.