Blackwater USA
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Blackwater USA is a private military contractor and security firm, describing itself as providing support to "military, government agencies, law enforcement and civilian entities in training, targets and range operations."
Blackwater USA consists of five companies:
- Blackwater Training Center
- Blackwater Target Systems
- Blackwater Security Consulting, Moyock, NC
- Blackwater Canine
- Blackwater Air (AWS).
Blackwater's president, Gary Jackson, is a former Navy SEAL, as are other executives within the firm. Company literature claims the company runs, "the largest privately-owned firearms training facility in the nation." The facility, located in North Carolina is comprised of several ranges, indoor, outdoor, urban reproductions and has over 6000 acres (24 km²) of land.
Blackwater offers several courses placed sporadically throughout the year, from hand to hand combat (executive course) to sniping. Furthermore one could opt to enroll in Blackwater Academy, a facility that will train you, provided you are willing to engage in a rather restrictive contract that places you exclusively in their service.
In March 2004, Blackwater mercenaries who were guarding food shipments were attacked and killed in Fallujah, Iraq. Their charred bodies were beaten and dragged before cameras in a gruesome display.
In April 2005 six Blackwater employees were killed in Iraq when the MI-8 helicopter they were in was shot down. Also killed were three Bulgarian crewmembers and two Fijian gunners. Initial reports indicate the helicopter was shot down by RPGs. The six Americans killed have been identified as:
- Robert Jason Gore, of Nevada, Iowa
- Luke Adam Petrik of Conneaut, Ohio
- Jason Obert of Fountain, Colorado
- Steve McGovern of Lexington, Kentucky
- Erick Smith of Waukesha, Wisconsin
- David Patterson of Havelock, North Carolina
The three Bulgarians have been identified as:
Kostov actually survived the plane crash, but was then shot to death by the men who shot the plane down.
Controversy has since emerged in the US mainstream political discourse about how to refer such employees: some prefer the term "mercenaries"; others, "contractors."
External links
- Company web site (http://www.blackwaterusa.com/)
- AP: NC firm was providing security for food delivery in Iraq (http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040331/APN/403311096)
- Alternet story on Blackwater, Mercenaries 'R' Us, March 24, 2004 (http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18193)
- NY Times Article (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/national/02SECU.html)Template:Mil-stub
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