WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- The tragic death on March 31 of four "civilian contractors" in Fallujah doesn't tell the whole story of the slain Americans. The four were employees of Blackwater Security Consulting, based in Moyock, N.C., a strategic division of Blackwater USA. Blackwater is a private security firm founded in 1996, one of many employed by the Pentagon to provide security around the globe. In the aftermath of 9-11, demand for their services has mushroomed; other companies providing guns for hire include Sparta Security, USDID, Triple Canopy, Global, DynCorp International, Erinys International, Kroll, Global Risks Strategies and Olive Security. Blackwater provides security for U.S. Coalition Provisional Authority administrator Paul Bremer in Baghdad. Not that the CPA is guarded exclusively by Americans; more than 500 Gurkha former British soldiers working for Global Logistics Security also provide building security for the CPA. A State Department official recently returned from Baghdad said that he favored going out with a Gurkha guard, as they were less Rambo-like than the American "civilian contractors." While Blackwater personnel wear civilian clothes, they go around armed to the teeth. Unfortunately, some of the people perceived in Iraq as "Rumsfeld's mercenaries" rather than as defenseless civilians learned in Fallujah that the locals don't respect highly paid soldiers of fortune.
"Civilian contractors" outsourcing security in Iraq do well financially; Blackwater personnel serve a 30-day-in, 30-day-out rotation, and their salary is tax-free. While all mercenaries are reluctant to discuss salaries, the pay for certain specialties with some companies can exceed $5,000 per week. The United States is not the only "coalition of the willing" member to deploy mercenaries in Iraq. Britain, responsible for patrolling around the southern port of Basra, has its own guns for hire. Among the companies aiding British regular forces is Global Risk Strategies; their personnel include Fijians and Nepalese Ghurkas, but no Iraqis. Securewest International supplies "security guards" from its subsidiary, Ghurka Manpower Services. An added benefit of using non-American mercenaries is that they are a lot cheaper. Armour Security Services Ltd. is also in Iraq and more than 1,500 South Africans also serve in Iraq. The sky is the limit for future contracts; Blackwater has a Defense Department contract to "to train, equip and permanently establish a Naval Special Operations unit in the Azerbaijan Armed Forces." The manager of this particular contract will earn $130,000 to $150,000. Odd how the dogs of war seem to be most frequently dispatched to oil-rich countries.
Blackwater USA includes the Blackwater Training Center, Blackwater Security consulting, Blackwater Canine and Blackwater Aviation Worldwide Services. Blackwater President Gary Jackson is a former Navy SEAL, as are two other company executives. Blackwater's Web site proudly proclaims, "We have established a global presence and provide training and tactical solutions for the 21st century," noting that clients include "federal law enforcement agencies, the Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Transportation, local and state entities from around the country, multi-national corporations, and friendly nations from all over the globe." Blackwater's increasingly cozy relationship with the Pentagon is underscored by its recently opening an office in McLean, Va. Blackwater claims to have trained "50,000 military and law enforcement personnel." As their website proclaims, "Blackwater provides VALUE TO THE CUSTOMER." Blackwater touts its 6,000 acres training site as "The most comprehensive private tactical training facility in the United States." While the Pentagon does not include "contractor" deaths in its casualty figures, the Washington Post reported in February that at least 17 contractors had been killed and many more wounded. The Brookings Institution estimates that there are at least 150,000 "civilian contractors" in Iraq.
Think that you got what it takes to be a mercenary? The following verbatim listings come from a job board of former military personnel seeking employment. The listings, complete with misspellings, give an idea of what's required. "Strategic/Tactical Satellite Comms Qualified. M-16, 9mm certified." Here's another: "HEy gang, My company just secured a major contract in IRAQ, The pay is better than most companies. We are only interested in individuals with SF, S.E.A.L., SFOD-D, High speed folks, would consider prior military with documented extensive combat experiance. You will have to go thru an extensive background check, a rigirous PT test, and weapons qual." Then there is: "Seeking work in the Executive/Personal Protection Field. Have vast experiance and training. To include Protection of Former First Lady Hillary Clinton and General Wes Clark. Have vast experiance in the training of Force protection professionals." The Brits also feature: "Former Royal Marine Commando of 11yrs and CP operator of 5yrs with arabic as a second language. Extensive work in Tier 1 - Tier 3 ops in locations through out the Middle East and Central - South East Asia." Bodyguards are also looking for work: "Seeking Security/Executive Security Position overseas. Have 15 years experance in executive security for top six members of Department of Defense." And then there are the specialized troops: "Needed several former special operations medics for work in Iraq. Paid monthly, food, lodging, laundryall paid in country. Work is for 6 week periods followed by 6 weeks off."
