Blackwater / Xe / IDS / Academi - R2

[Esteban]

Buen sitio para probar bichos. En cuanto al dirigible, es ideal para operaciones nocturnas. Silencioso, baja firma térmica y maniobrable.

[jesus_taax]

¿Donde se pueden encontrar las carateristicas tecnicas del dirigible?
Gracias

[Loopster]

Pues no creo que estén publicados los datos más interesantes, supongo que no querrán que se lo copie nadie. Lo que se sabe es que cargará unas 400 libras en equipos de vigilancia (de ahí lo de Polar-400), velocidad máxima de 50 nudos y diseñado para volar o flotar a altitudes entre 5.000 y 15.000 pies.

Puedes probar a mandarles un email explicando que quieres contar con unos datos básicos (carga de pago, régimen de operación, ...) para un proyecto o algo por el estilo, hasta hace poco tenían becas de ingeniería así que es probable que les siga interesando contar con gente con ganas de innovar.

[Loopster]

Will Blackwater Be Rehired?
By Adam Zagorin and Brian Bennett/Washington

Regardless of the outcome of various legal proceedings against Blackwater, the controversial security firm potentially faces a massive business setback this coming May. That's when its State Department contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq comes up for renewal, and its hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the company are no longer a sure thing in light of the legal and political repercussions of two recent incidents in which Blackwater guards allegedly killed Iraqis.

A Washington, D.C., grand jury is currently hearing evidence involving one of the episodes. And if the U.S. were to bring criminal indictments against Blackwater personnel, many observers believe it could jeopardize the contract's renewal and further undermine the company's already shaky status in Iraq.

The first of the two incidents occurred on Christmas Eve 2006, when a reportedly drunk Blackwater staffer allegedly killed an Iraqi guard inside Baghdad's Green Zone. The second occurred on Sept. 16, 2007, when Blackwater guards protecting a vehicle convoy may have killed as many as 17 Iraqis in a firefight. That bloody episode has strained relations between Washington and Baghdad and caused elements within the Iraqi government to demand that Blackwater be expelled from the country.

Major obstacles stand in the way of indictments, however. In the case of the Christmas Eve shooting, a senior law enforcement official told TIME that Justice Department prosecutors are having difficulty finding a legal basis to prosecute former Blackwater contractor Andrew Moonen, who was fired by Blackwater and flown out of Iraq the day after the shooting."Its a legal mess," says the official, citing uncertainty about the application of U.S. law for an alleged crime committed in Iraq, as well as the status of an Iraqi statute promulgated soon after the U.S. invasion designed to shelter contractors from prosecution.

Moonen's lawyer said he believed investigators were still gathering evidence in the case despite the legal hurdles.

Prosecutions in the September 16 case would face similar obstacles, in addition to having to overcome the limited immunity granted by the State Department to Blackwater staff soon after the incident.

The possibility that few or none of the Blackwater personnel involved in the killings will be prosecuted has aroused the ire of critics. Human Rights First, a Washington advocacy group, has released a report citing "scores of well-documented reports of serious abuse by private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan," none of which has been prosecuted. It further contended that the Bush Administration lacks the political will to bring criminal cases and, as a result, is creating a "culture of impunity."

Still, in the September 16 incident, there may also be substantial evidentiary problems that could block an indictment. The Iraqi government has claimed that a convoy including 19 Backwater guards opened fire on Iraqis, but the firm says its staff were merely responding to an attack mounted by insurgents dressed as policemen. One observer close to the investigation told TIME that U.S. authorities have examined a log from a command post, or Tactical Operations Center (TOC), showing that Blackwater guards radioed repeatedly that they were under attack from persons wearing police uniforms. Photographic evidence of Kalashnikov shells scattered around the site of the shooting could also suggest that the Blackwater convoy did come under hostile fire.

Blackwater itself has said that a number of vehicles in the convoy were damaged, and it has photographs showing bullet damage, although the fact that those pictures are undated makes it difficult to be certain when the damage was inflicted.

Two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported that Blackwater had repainted and repaired vehicles soon after the attack, making it even harder to know what damage had occurred. But Blackwater President Gary Jackson told TIME that all the vehicles belonged to the U.S. government and that they were repaired on government instruction "after the State Department conducted its review of the incident, and after pictures were taken of the damaged vehicles."

Blackwater is contractually obliged to follow State Department rules and procedures before firing weapons in Iraq, and it may be possible that some of those rules were violated in the chaos of the September 16 firefight in Baghdad. Breaking State Department rules, however, may not constitute a criminal offense, particularly if other evidence suggests that the Blackwater convoy was, in fact, engaged by the enemy. But that will be for a grand jury to decide.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article ... 21,00.html


Hagan sus apuestas, pero para cualquiera que haya estado atento a los movimientos en la cúpula directiva de Blackwater Worlwide, los "acopios" de cierto tipo de vehículos y sistemas, la prisa que se están dando con los cursos del WPPS que exigen semanas en blanco del calendario de la escuela de Moyock, la contratación de tres encargados para supervisar el WPPS (operativo, logístico y administrativo)...

[Loopster]

Una de esas ofertas de trabajo sumamente interesantes, siempre hay que buscar esos detalles

BLACKWATER WORLDWIDE IS CURRENTLY SEEKING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN PERFORMING MOBILE PSD OPERATIONS
01.28.08


Primary Purpose:

Essential Functions:

Required Education:
CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

BE FORMER U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH A MINIMUM OF 8 YEARS ACTIVE DUTY. SERVICE MUST HAVE INCLUDED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMUNITY.

AND

A MINIMUM OF 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE HAVING OPERATED IN A HIGH THREAT ENVIRONMENT.

AND

SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDED PROTECTIVE SERVICES. EXPERIENCE MUST INCLUDE HAVING CONDUCTED SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION, AND COUNTERSURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS.


CANDIDATES MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS:
BE A U.S. CITIZEN

BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A SECRET CLEARANCE

BE IN GOOD HEALTH AND PHYSICALLY FIT IN ORDER TO PASS A STANDARD INITIAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

BE PROFICIENT WITH M4 AND GLOCK 9MM. CONCEALED CARRY EXPERIENCE DESIRED.

MUST NOT HAVE ANY FELONY, VIOLENT CRIMES, SPOUSE OR CHILD ABUSE CONVICTIONS

MUST NOT HAVE ANY UNEXPLAINED SIGNIFICANT CREDIT PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST SEVEN (7) YEARS

MUST BE ABLE AND WILLING TO DEPLOY AUSTERE AND HIGH THREAT ENVIRONMENTS.


Working Conditions:

Physical Requirements:

Contact: FOR FURTHER SCREENING SEND RESUME AND DD-214 TO: xxxxxx@BLACKWATERUSA.COM

Buscando ex-operadores, con experiencia en operaciones de vigilancia, contravigilancia y detección, y habituados a llevar armamento "oculto"... muy interesante.


Por cierto, han llegado a mis emails y mi bandeja de mensajes varios avisos de que hay algún sujeto diciendo que recluta en España para Blackwater . Eso es totalmente falso, Blackwater tiene única y exclusivamente 5 reclutadores, cuatro hombres y una mujer, todos residentes en Moyock (Carolina del Norte) o McLean (Virginia), son esos reclutadores los que reciben y contestan los currículums, hacen búsquedas en la base de datos BEAR y se ponen en contacto con la gente que recluta directamente en las zonas de operaciones (que es la manera más sencilla de entrar en la empresa). Estos reclutadores se encargan de todas las contrataciones, tanto las de instructores para Moyock, Mount Carroll o en el extranjero, como la contratación de gente para el WPPS, los Mobile Team o cualquier otro programa.

Si a alguien le llegan avisos de que se está montando un curso "para trabajar para Blackwater" que me avise y comprobaré la legitimidad del asunto. Más vale ser malpensando que arrepentirse si a uno le timan 1500€ en un curso que luego no lleva a ningún lado.

Saludos

[Loopster]

Esto no saldrá en El País ni en tantos otros medios...

The Orange County Register


A 2-year-old Iraqi girl with a congenital heart defect, who has been evacuated to a Tennessee hospital by U.S. Marines in the Al Anbar province, was reported Friday to be awake but fighting a respiratory infection.

“She has had fever since she left home,” said Carole Bartoo, spokeswoman for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. “She’s been trying to play when she’s not cranky.”

The toddler has a large hole in her heart and a severe obstruction between her heart and lungs, giving her the classic “blue baby” look around her lips and extremities, according to a hospital news release. Amenah’s heart is basically backwards in her chest and her large arteries are oriented abnormally, the hospital said.

“Untreated this will be a fatal condition in her young childhood,” said Dr. Thomas Doyle, a pediatric cardiologist in a statement released by the hospital on Friday.

With the help of Marines under the command of Camp Pendleton-based Regimental Combat Team 5, a whirlwind military effort got Amenah to Jordan on Tuesday and onward to Nashville.

The girl’s mother requested that the family’s last name not be released for fear of her relatives’ safety, the hospital said.

The headquarters element of RCT 5, which left Camp Pendleton earlier this month, assumed command of approximately 5,000 service members in the Al Anbar province assigned to various battalions from Marine Corps bases, including Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Marines operating in Al Anbar Province airlifted the young Haditha girl in desperate need of a life-saving surgery and her mother to the Jordanian border Tuesday, according a to U.S. Multi-National Forces-West press release. A team of medical professionals escorted them to Nashville on Wednesday.

Amenah was discovered by Marines assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, which is now part of RCT 5, while on patrol in Haditha during their daily interaction with the populace, according to the press release.

The battalion surgeon diagnosed her condition and recognizing the gravity of the situation coordinated arrangements with doctors at the Nashville hospital, who agreed to perform the surgery at no cost to the family, according to U.S. Multi-National Forces-West.

The Marines, in conjunction with numerous government agencies, initiated an effort dubbed “Operation Amina,” to transport the girl and her mother stateside. The travel and related costs were financed by private donors, the release said.

The battalion raised $30,000 to fly them to the U.S. via Jordan with the assistance of a U.S. medical team and extensive cooperation from Blackwater Worldwide, the hospital said.

The Iraqi government backed the Marines’ effort with its unconditional support. And friends and family of Maj. Kevin Jarrard, who befriended Amenah’s family, in Nashville continue to help, the hospital said.

“It is hoped that the city of Haditha will have the facilities to diagnose and treat heart conditions of this nature at birth within 12 to18 months,” said 1st Lt. Lawton King, a spokesman for the Pendleton-based 5th Marine Regiment in an e-mailed statement. “But in the meantime, the Marines are simply delighted they could be of assistance to Amina and her family.”

The Marines have elected to use the girl’s name as it’s spelled on her Haditha identification. The name on her passport is spelled Amenah, which is what the hospital is using.

“Amenah arrived safely (Wednesday night) through heroic efforts by the military and friends,” Doyle said. “The assessment of her cardiac condition is on going.”

Doyle and Dr. Karla Christian examined Amenah on Thursday and determined that her heart problem is more complex than originally expected, the hospital said.

Because of the respiratory infection, fever and the stress of travel, the hospital will delay any surgery for at least a week. The toddler was on antibiotics and in the intensive care unit on Friday. She was awake and reportedly had improved since the day before. She will undergo an MRI and other heart examinations, the hospital said.

A team of pediatric heart specialists continues to assess her condition.

“We want to give her the same care any child here in the United States would get, but we also have to keep in mind the access to medical care she will have when she returns home,” said Christian. “She will require a complex open heart surgery with significant risk.”

Amenah is scheduled to return home one month after the surgery, military officials said.

Y un video (calidad pésima porque está grabado de la pantalla de un televisor) con más información sobre las 3 chicas rescatadas y evacuadas de Kenia por Blackwater.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5265&hl=en

Saludos

[Loopster]

Ayer veíamos los requerimientos para contratistas que pedían experiencia en tareas de vigilancia y contravigilancia, y en el empleo de armas encubiertas. Veamos ahora los requerimientos para el puesto de Program Manager que parece ir asociado al mismo contrato:

Program Manager – Select Contracts
01.28.08


Primary Purpose:
With minimal supervision, is responsible for all aspects of classified contract management and serves as primary client contact. Has overall responsibility to assign, equip, and deploy independent contractor (IC) personnel for overseas assignments in support of large government contracts.

Esential Functions:
• Reviews resumes/bios of available ICs to determine eligibility/qualification for assignment to supported contracts.
• Develops, schedules, coordinates, and executes training/indoctrination for IC personnel assigned to static site and mobile mission sets.
• Evaluates and assigns leadership personnel within program.
• Schedules manpower for all assigned contracts.
• Performs tactical needs assessments to determine manning and logistics requirements.
• Tracks manning levels for entire program of assignment. Prepares and presents reports to assigned clients and internally.
• Maintains active and cordial relationships with ICs. Serves as point of contact for in-country ICs within program.
• Coordinates and executes logistics for assigned contracts. Submits supply requests to Procurement. Orders, tracks, and maintain weapons for assigned program.
• Prepares cost analyses of tactical equipment.
• Prepares cost proposals and contract modifications.
• Prepares and submits travel claims.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Required Education:
Must possess eight (8) or more years of experience providing security services pertinent to area of assignment. Must have at least three (3) years of OCONUS experience, at least (2) of which are related to a classified U.S. Government program, and five (5) years or more of supervisory and logistics experience. Must be able to understand, review and submit detailed financial reports, and work effectively with a broad range of people with a wide variety of skills and experience. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate staff and communicate clearly. Substantial experience in business is strongly preferred, as is military leadership or other federal protective service.

Must hold a current Top Secret clearance and be willing to take a polygraph test. Prior successful polygraph is preferred.


Working Conditions:
Frequent work outside and in inclement weather conditions is required, including heat, cold, and humidity. Subject to frequent interruption. Must be willing to travel, including OCONUS and to high-threat areas.

Physical Requirements:
Regularly requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing, squatting, and kneeling. Requires constant use of hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds or more with assistance. Specific vision required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Because the incumbent will conduct, supervise, and participate in training, and in fulfilling contractual obligations, must meet established health requirements for contract personnel associated with assigned contracts.

Contact:
Send Email to: xxxxx@blackwaterusa.hrmdirect.com

No abundan los contratos que requieran un nivel Top Secret de clearance y el pasar por el polígrafo

[Loopster]

Entendiendo los cometidos de los DDMs

Designated Defensive Marksman (DDM)

Qualifications:

1. Three (3) years experience in defensive marksman skill sets to include;
(1) protective security advances and site assessments and
(2) Close Quarters Battle (CQB) techniques for clearing and occupying sites.
(3) tactical firearms training,
(4) Sniper/Observer training, and
(5) high risk entry techniques.

2. Completed or served at least three (3) years in military, law enforcement, or executive commercial protection.

3. One (1) year of experience shall have been obtained in personal protection security assignments with demonstrated skill.

4. Three (3) years of training can be substituted for one (1) year of experience. A four (4) year degree may be substituted for one (1) year of training.

5. Experience can be gained in the employ of any Federal, State, or Local military or law enforcement agency or executive protection services with military, law enforcement or commercial entities.

6. Shall provide evidence of completion from an accredited Sniper School.

Los DDMs son los tiradores de los helicópteros, que proporcionan protección a los convoys y durante las entradas y salidas de zonas seguras y en los lugares donde se puede esperar una emboscada. La protección la dan no solo desde los helicópteros sino también desde tejados, azoteas, balcones... incluso pueden dejar a solo dos de ellos en mitad de la calle para que asalten un edificio y ocupen una posición de ventaja sobre una zona de aproximación o un lugar de interés (de ahí que les exigan dominar técnicas de entrada y de combate en edificios). El entrenamiento de los DDMs es el más duro que se imparte en Moyock.

[Loopster]

La Cruz Roja de Estados Unidos ha homenajeado a los empleados de Blackwater en Moyock por sus continuas donaciones de sangre. Cachondo el Erik Prince, cuando le dicen que hace 5 años donaron un total de 14 unidades de sangre y el pasado 2007 fueron 264 unidades... "es que hace cinco años aquí solo éramos 14 tipos"

Enlace: http://www.wavy.com/global/story.asp?s=7805388, en el video se ven unos cuantos tipos entrenando, me da a mí que son imágenes de archivo, pero parecen que son de los Guardacostas en el 3-Weapons Qualification

At Blackwater USA it's not unusual to see military and police firing weapons, or security contractors training to protect convoys in Iraq. But inside the Moyock, North Carolina campus today, Blackwater Founder Erik Prince accepted a plaque from the American Red Cross for something very different.

"The people here at Blackwater go above and beyond in trying to sponsor blood drives during times of the year when we need them the most," said Georgia Donaldson of the Mid Atlantic region Red Cross.

Blackwater's first blood drive was five years ago. They collected 14 units.

"Wow, there was probably 14 people here then," said Blackwater USA Founder Erik Prince.

Through four drives this past year alone, they've collected 264 units.

"That means that well over 600 lives have been saved in this region," said Donaldson.

"I'm proud of the folks we have here. We have a great team, they constantly go above and beyond the call of duty, they give back and they're giving to their local community here," said Prince.

Prince says the drives are a great way for people that don't deploy to help out.

"We try to create a venue for smart innovative folks to do good work here and this was an idea that came from our medical department. They saw a need for the community to receive more blood, so we made it available and our folks answered the call."

Recogiendo la placa están Erik Prince, Gary Jackson y creo que Jennifer (porque Ivy está fuera).

En fin, una de tantas noticias que no saldrán en prensa no sea que el cliché de guardia pretoriana se eche a perder.

[Loopster]

Notición... We are Blackwater

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24834

Regnery Signs Book Deal with Blackwater's Reclusive CEO

Regnery Publishing today announced that it has signed a contract with Erik Prince, Chairman and CEO of Blackwater Worldwide. Prince’s book, tentatively titled We Are Blackwater, will be released this summer. It is the only insider’s account of the controversial company that has supplied bodyguards and support-and-rescue personnel to hot spots around the world, including the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Prince, a former Navy SEAL, will reveal how he created Blackwater, refute criticisms of the company, and take the reader on thrilling Blackwater missions into hostile territory, from rescuing teenage missionaries in Africa, to helicoptering wounded Marines to safety, to inventing, testing, and manufacturing armored vehicles to better protect our troops in the field.

The Blackwater founder doesn’t shy away from controversy. He rebuts the criticism -- largely from the Left -- about Blackwater being a renegade outfit of “mercenaries” and “war profiteers.” He shows how Blackwater has handled protection, rescue, and supply assignments that even our military can’t.

We Are Blackwater is the untold story about what is perhaps the most controversial company in the world.

A ver como me las arreglo para tener el mio autografiado