Although the media repeatedly refers to the men killed in the recent attack in Iraq as "civilian contractors,? they were in fact mercenaries used as part of the U.S. government's outsourcing of jobs, reports the Progressive Review.
Firms overseeing the specialized contractors include Blackwater, the one involved in the recent incident, as well as Dyncorp and the Steele Foundation.
The Steele Foundation, the third largest supplier of mercenaries, has 500 troops in Iraq and recently distinguished itself by -- depending on who's telling the story -- failing to protect Haitian president Aristide from kidnapping by the U.S. government or participating in the act.
According to the Progressive Review, the international convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries defines a mercenary is any person who:
Refer to the film "Proof of Life" (2000, starring Russell Crowe). The security business is a big international business. Its services are needed and it's a legitimate business. We're not talking mercenaries in the Congo here.
Civilians are in fact far better placed to provide security than uniformed military personnel. Military men are trained primarily to kill people and destroy things using deadly force, they're not usually well-trained in police work, security work, and community relations.
Not 100% true. A friend of mine that was working for Halaburton was shot and killed in Iraq last fall. He was working on updating their postal system. His job when I knew him? Working for the Post Office in Garland, Tx.
If these guys are mercenaries, then every security guard in the country is a mercenary. This is ridiculous and I can't believe Limbacher wrote this piece. These guys were guarding a food shipment for God's sake. They were trying to help people there and they get killed for their troubles. And now people like Limbacher, who should know better, are blackening their reputations. Don't speak ill of the dead Carl -- it's not polite and it's very bad luck.
Carl was just reporting on some lib losers.
Those aren't his thoughts!
Because I was surprised about the content of the article, I went to the site and read the article -- it comes through as Limbacher writing this piece and quoting these other sources. He certainly doesn't question the sources in the article.
His readers don't need him to tell them what to think.
They can draw their own conclusions.
AD Consultancy
Headquarters:
ADC House
P.O. Box 153
Sutton, Surrey SM3 9WF
United Kingdom
Tel: 0870 707 0074
Fax: 0870 707 0075
Website: www.adconsultancy.com
Email:
security.services@adporta.com Contact in Iraq:
Ian Grealey
Tel: 0870 707 0074
Email:
ian.grealey@adporta.com Description of Services:
Risk and threat assessment, close
protection teams/bodyguards, asset
protection, secure commodity escort, travel
and escort security, residential and
premises security, aviation security,
maritime security, oil and gas industry
security, surveillance and counter
surveillance.
AKE Limited
Headquarters:
Mortimer House
Holmer Road
Hereford HR4 9TA
UK
Tel: [44] (0) 1432 267111
Fax: [44] (0) 1432 350227
Email:
services@akegroup.com Website: www.akegroup.com
Contact in Iraq:
Peter Hornett
Tel: [44] (0) 7739 094598
Email:
operations@akegroup.com Description of Services:
Hostile regions training, reduced personal
insurance rates, the services of security risk
specialists, location security audits,
personal security reviews, body armor,
medical audits, equipment, assistance and
evacuation; political, security, intelligence
and cultural briefings, subscription-based
online secure database of security, risk and
intelligence information, including
twice-weekly Iraq security briefings.
ArmorGroup
Headquarters:
25 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6LD
Tel: [44] (20) 7808-5800
Fax: [44] (20) 7233-7434
Email:
info@armorgroup.com or
jmillar@armorgroup.com Contact in Iraq:
John Farr, MBE
Country Manager
Tel: 0088 216 511 20010
Email:
jfarr@armorgroup.com Description of services:
ArmorGroup operates in 40 countries
worldwide and is a leading international risk
management, security services, mine
action, and information service provider. In
Iraq we currently have offices in Mosul,
Baghdad, and Basra, and on-going
operations throughout the country. They
provide major corporate and government
clients in Iraq with risk assessment and
management, close protection, manned
guarding, technical security systems, and
mine action services (mine clearing and
unexploded ordnance disposal). ArmorGroup
supports the Joint US/UK Government’s
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human
Rights, and subscribes to the Code of
Conduct of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement. ArmorGroup is a
United Nations approved provider, and is ISO
9001:2000 certified. ArmorGroup's Baghdad
office is not able to deal with job
applications. All applications must be
accompanied by a current CV/resume and
sent to:
jswaggertt@armorgroup.com (US
residents), or
cruart@armorgroup.com (UK
residents and other nationalities).
Control Risks Group
Headquarters:
83 Victoria Street
London SW1H OHW
United Kingdom
Tel: [44] (20) 722 1552
Fax: [44] (20) 7222 2296
Website: www.crg.com
Email:
james.blount@control-risks.com or
criraq1@control-risks.com Contact in Iraq:
James Blount, Country Manager
Tel: 1-914-822-9502 (NY number but person
is located in Iraq)
Thuraya: +8821621158121
Email:
james.blount@control-risks.com or
criraq1@control-risks.com Description of Services:
Control risk is a leading international
business risk consultancy with 28 years
experience of supporting more than 5,300
clients in over 130 countries. They currently
have an office in Baghdad providing major
governmental and corporate clients with a
range of services, including security
management, discreet armed protection,
and information support.
Custer Battles
Headquarters:
3959 Pender Drive
Suite 109
Fairfax, VA 22050
Tel: [1] 703-385-1121
Fax: [1] 703-385-2177
Email:
cbaumann@custerbattles.com Website: www.custerbattles.com
Contact in Iraq:
Brig. General Charles Baumann, Director
Tel: [1] 914-360-9223
Email:
cbaumann@custerbattles.com Description of Services:
Security services, life supports,
construction, logistics, transportation, and
personal security details.
Diligence Middle East
Headquarters:
1275 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: [1] 202-659-6210
Fax: [1] 202-659-6210
Email:
kjosey@diligenceiraq.com Website: www.diligencellc.com
Contact in Iraq:
Ken Josey, Country Manager
Tel: [1] 914-822-9746 (NY number rings in
Baghdad)
Email:
kjosey@diligenceiraq.com Description of Services:
Diligence Middle East is the Middle East
subsidiary of Diligence LLC, a global
information and security services firm. In
Iraq, Diligence provides risk advisory
consulting, competitive due diligence, close
protection, site security, and security escort
services for multiple international clients and
CPA contractors.
Erinys Iraq Limited
Headquarters:
16 Zukak 18
601 Emerat Mahla
Al-Mansour
Baghdad, Iraq
Tel: +873763692882
Email:
opsbaghdad@erinysinternational.com Website: www.erinysinternationa.com
Contact in Iraq:
Michael Hutchings
Tel: +873763692882 or +96447901921231
Email:
mhutchings@erinysinternational.com Description of Services:
Expatriate and Iraqi security services
supported by nationwide radio and
voice/data satellite communications.
Services include managed guard forces,
personal protection services, convoy
protection, key point, and area security.
Company is structured in 3 regions and 12
sectors with expatriate managed offices in
each sector.
Genric
Headquarters:
Hereford House
East Street
Hereford, UK HR1 2LU
Tel: [44] 1432 379083
Fax: [44] 1432 370786
Website: www.genric.co.uk
Email:
nick.duggan@genric.co.uk Contact in Iraq:
Nick Duggan
Tel: [44] 7919 478484 or [965]
904-8217/8257
Email:
nick.duggan@genric.co.uk Description of Services:
Genric provides global security solutions to
corporations in the form of risk
assessments, plans and policies for
kidnapping, evacuation, crisis management
and general security guidelines, physical
provision of armed escort teams for
personnel and convoys, security managers,
occupational health, Technical Surveillance
Counter Measures (TSCM), defensive
driving, personal, asset and property
protection. Offices in the UK, Slovakia,
Serbia and the Philippines. A secure facility
has been established outside Basra, which
provides: armed site security 24/7, air con
accommodation, air con offices, 4x4
armored and non-armored vehicle hire or
purchase, service and parts center,
generation hire or purchase,
communications.
Global Risk Strategies
Headquarters:
6 Stratton Street
London W1J 8LD
United Kingdom
Tel: [44] (20) 7491 7492
Fax: [44] (20) 7491
Website: www.globalrsl.com
Email:
ops@globalrsl.com Contact in Iraq:
Damian Perl, Charlie Andrews, Nick Arnold
Tel: 1-914-360-6148 (NY number but person
is located in Iraq)
Email:
babylonops@yahoo.com Description of Services:
Working together with the U.S. government,
United Nations, and key commercial clients
to provide significant security, logistics and
facilitation services in post conflict Iraq. A
country wide network of specialist teams,
communications and logistics assets have
been established, headquarted in Baghdad,
to assist with immediate humanitarian aid
and reconstruction projects in the Aviation,
Oil, Banking and Infrastructure sectors.
Further to this, there are now GLOBAL
Close Protection Teams working in support
of the Ministries of the Coalition Provisional
Authority.
Group 4 Falck A/S
Headquarters:
Panchwati
82-A, Sector 18
Gurgaon 122016 (Haryana)
India
Tel: [91] 124-2398888
Fax: [91] 124-2397131
Website: www.group4falck.com
Email:
reg.office@group4falckmesea.com Contact in Iraq:
Abrahem Ghazarian
Tel: 919811768800
Fax: 971508131680
Email:
brahem@group4falckmesea.com Description of Services:
Guarding services including static guards,
patrol guards, close protection, control room
guards, and air marshals (armed and
unarmed). Technical and security systems
solutions. Physical security and design.
Cash services (armed vehicles) with trained
crew to transfer cash and valuables. Provide
ATM services, wage packaging and
distribution. Cashing sorting. Ambulance
services (vehicles and professional staff).
Firefighting services (vehicles, products and
professional staff). Prisons and prison
management. Global solutions. Facility
management and training services.
Hill and Associates, Ltd.
Headquarters:
2604-9 Harbour Center
No. 25 Harbour Road
Wanchai, Hong King
Tel: [852] 2802-2123
Fax: [852] 2802-2133
Email:
info.ae@hill-assoc.com Website: www.hill-assoc.com
Contact in Iraq:
Richard Hancock, Director
Operations - Middle East
Tel: [971] (4) 211-5447 (Dubai) or (65)
6322-2558
Thuraya: 882-162-1100-133
Email:
Richard.hancock@hill-assoc.com or
richancock@hotmail.com Description of Services:
Hill and Associates are a risk management
consultancy company with ten years of
experience supporting Fortune 500
companies in Asia Pacific and the Middle
East. They currently have offices in Kuwait
City, Dubai and Baghdad focused on
providing clients in Iraq with a range of
services, including: executive protection,
information services and security audits.
ICP Group Ltd
Headquarters:
2 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 3DQ
United Kingdom
Tel: [44] (0) 207-591-4411
Fax: [44] (0) 207-584-1460
Email:
iraq@icpgroup.ltd.uk Website: www.icpgroup.ltd.uk
Contact in Iraq:
Will Geddes or Andy King
Tel: [44] (870) 464-1000 (UK number that
rings in Baghdad)
Email:
iraq@icpgroup.ltd.uk Description of Services:
ICP Group Ltd is an international threat
management company servicing many
international organizations including the
corporate, industrial, financial, telecoms and
pharmaceutical industries. With
representation country-wide since Desert
Storm (1991), ICP Group Ltd have provided
security support and services to many major
multi-national companies, NGO and
government agencies. Providers of
high-quality and competitively-priced
protection services, security equipment,
logistics management and liaison services,
ICP Group Ltd can ensure that you are
provided with an effective and efficiently
managed security solution for short, mid and
long-term engagements. Services include:
close protection/bodyguards (static and
mobile), secure accommodation, armored
vehicles, personal protection equipment,
field operations supplies, due diligence, risk
assessment, audits and project
evaluation/analysis, medical services,
hostile environment training, specialist
insurance coverage (through Lloyds of
London), crisis management, and business
continuity services and evacuation support
and services. ICP Group Ltd protection
employees are only either former British and
US Special Forces or Elite Forces
personnel.
ISI
Headquarters:
Baghdad Conference Palace
Mansour, Baghdad
Tel: [1] 914-360-2492
Email:
omarhadi@hotmail.com Contact in Iraq:
Omar Hadi
Tel: [1] 914-360-2492 or [1] 914-822-7707
Email:
omarhadi@hotmail.com Description of Services:
ISI Iraq is a part of the ISI Group and is the
only security company to provide 24 hour
Iraqi security guards to the CPA "Green
Zone". All guards are trained by the U.S.
army, vetted through "local knowledge" and
have been a valuable asset to the American
troops at the convention center in Baghdad.
ISI also provides guards for residences,
offices, and also do low key protection work
for foreign nationals. All guards provided to
foreign nationals have proficient English, and
invaluable local knowledge, military or police
backgrounds as well as British and
American training. ISI has also been involved
in due diligence, providing information for
foreign and domestic companies through a
network of personalities, companies, and
families throughout Iraq. ISI's senior
management includes experienced military
personnel mostly ex-special forces from
both the US and UK. ISI provides turnkey
accommodation solution for foreign
companies and press, in low key locations
around Baghdad, providing and vetting all
members of staff, 24 hour security as well
as other complimentary support. Security
services include: manned guarding, close
protection work, site surveys, turnkey
accommodation, and provision of
commercial intelligence and due diligence,
translators and drivers. Commercial services
include: representation, construction, turn
key 'camps', transportation within and in and
out of Iraq. ISI has existing joint venture
agreements with both US and UK
established security firms.
Meteoric Tactical Solutions
Headquarters:
6 Meteor Road
Valhalla
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: [27] 12 651 3402
Fax: [27] 12 651 3402
Email:
Juanitavr@bestmed.co.za Contact in Iraq:
Lourens Horn (Louwtjie)
Tel: 914-360-3113
Email:
louwtjieh@hotmail.com Description of Services:
Specialized training programs, VIP
protection, asset protection, risk
management and analysis, even
management, asset recovery.
Meyer & Associates
Headquarters:
P.O. Box 1800
Joshua (DFW), TX 76058
Tel: [11] 817-426-1199
Fax: [11] 817-558-4868
Website: www.meyerglobalforce.com
Email:
gdesmith@meyerglobalforce.com Contact in Iraq:
Tim Meyer or Gary DeSmith
Tel: 1-817-401-8142 or 1-817-821-8820
Email:
tjmeyer@meyerglobalforce.com or
gdesmith@meyerglobalforce.com Description of Services:
Security consulting and problem resolution,
executive protection/bodyguards, advance
work, intelligence, transportation and drivers,
security guards, threat assessment, kidnap
negotiations, investigations, reporting,
analysis, liaisons with government,
diplomatic, military, local and guerilla
leaders. Aggressive security including
specialized ex-military personnel utilizing
state of the art equipment and tactics.
Armed Patrol Vessels.
Olive Security (UK) Limited
Headquarters:
2 Charles Street
Mayfair, London
W1J 5DB
England, UK
Tel: [44] (0) 207307 0540
Fax: [44] (0) 207307 0542
Email:
barrylb@olivesecurity.com Website: www.olivesecurity.com
Contact in Iraq:
John Yourston and Douglas Dick
Tel: 008821652100377 or [965] 914-0169
(Kuwait office)
Description of Services:
Armed VIP protection, armed convoy escort,
threat and risk analysis, security site
survey, key point security, manned guards,
technological security including: TSCM,
debugging/sweeps, IT security
implementation.
Optimal Solution Services
Headquarters:
4/35 Spencer Street
Fairfield NSW
Australia
Tel: [61] (2) 97555840
Fax: [61] (2) 97559835
Email:
optimal1@optusnet.com.au Contact in Iraq:
Zahir F. Hameed
Tel: +8821621233556
Email:
optimal_solution@hotmail.com Description of Services:
The infrastructure is streamlined to ensure
maximum efficiency and effectiveness in
vigilance and security alert response. Our
emphasis is on maintaining the highest
industry standards with our security
personnel adhering to safety and health
regulation and best work practices.
Overseas Security & Strategic
Information, Inc/Safenet - Iraq
Headquarters:
Post Office Box 52067
Atlanta, GA 30355
USA
Tel: [1] 404-307-4072
Fax: [1] 413-208-6069
Email:
OSSIInc@hotmail.com Contact in Iraq:
John H. Walbridge, Jr. or Mauritz Le Roux
Tel: [964] 7901915494 or [88] 216 5201
4591/4592
Description of Services:
We provide in-country "hands on"
management of highly trained and
experienced South African security
personnel by former American intelligence
officers with paramilitary backgrounds.
Services include close protection of VIPs,
general personal security of employees,
convoy escorts of personnel and equipment,
training of local security personnel, provision
of armored and unarmored vehicles, threat
and intelligence reporting, and provision of
combat medics with proper equipment. Our
approach is responsive, personalized and
cost-effective.
RamOPS Risk Management
Group
Headquarters:
7312 Suite 8 Hihenge Court
Raleigh, NC 27615
Tel: [1] 919-740-4597
Website: www.ramops.com
Email:
globalservices@ramops.com Contact in Iraq:
Andy Potts or John Autenreith
Email:
globalservices@ramops.com Tel: [1] 919-740-4597 (US)
Description of Services:
Security consulting that includes threat
assessments, recommended precautions,
and contingency planning for personnel,
sites, and equipment. Site security including
area patrols, point security, and barricade
design. Executive and VIP protection,
convoy escort, 24/7 coverage available
throughout Iraq. Communications,
information technology, and logistic services
available in support of any NGO or
commercial operation. Their entire
organization is comprised of US special
operations and military intelligence
professionals. Security consulting and
training available in the US for NGO or
corporate personnel prior to deployment.
Sumer International Security
Headquarters:
Almasbah - Dis Babilon
Sec. 929, St. 10, Building 10(54/356)
Baghdad, Iraq
Tel: [1] 312-869-7336 (VOIP)
Fax: [1] 202-438-9710
Email:
lipmanj@thesandigroup.com Website: www.thesandigroup.com
Contact in Iraq:
Janna Lipman
Tel: [1] 312-869-8336 (VOIP) or [964]
7901-916-338 or [1] 202-483-5900
Email:
lipmanj@thesandigroup.com or
karslim@corporatebankintl.com Description of Services:
SIS security guards, body guards, and
private police armed and uniformed are
trained by DynCorp International. Our clients
are protected by a 365 days, 24/7 basis and
we maintain a 24 hours dispatch operation
with field supervision.
Triple Canopy Inc.
Headquarters:
200 W. Adams Street
29th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
USA
Tel: [1] 312-895-5000 ext. 7070
Fax: [1] 312-895-5001
Email:
sales@triplecanopy.com Website: www.triplecanopy.com
Contact in Iraq:
Ron Boline or Tony Nichlson
Tel: [1] 914-360-6961 (NY number rings in
Baghdad) or [44] 208-792-629 (UK number
rings in Baghdad)
Email:
ron.boline@triplecanopy.com or
tony.nicholson@triplecanopy.com or
sales@triplecanopy.com Description of Services:
Triple Canopy excels in executive protection,
site security, and convoy security. Our
operators have an average of more than 20
years in the most elite military Special
Operations units and are the highest quality
personnel in the industry. Our services range
from discreet travel companions to heavily
armored, high profile convoy escort. From
security assessments to tactical training to
direct security work, Triple Canopy has the
solution.
Wade-Boyd and Associates LLC
Headquarters:
Suite 116
Main Street
Lawler, IA 52154
Tel: [1] 641-330-4581 or 931-302-7822
Fax: [1] 270-518-5780
Email:
wbaprotection@yahoo.com Contact in Iraq:
Malek (Ali) Mehanna or V. Brooke Phillips
Tel: [1] 641-330-4581 (US)
Email:
malekmehanna@hotmail.com or
invops@yahoo.com Description of Services:
Owned and operated by honorably retired
U.S. army military police investigator, who
currently is the command investigator
lieutenant for the U.S. DOD federal police.
And, an honorably retired (twice) U.S. DOD
federal police investigator sergeant/chief of
police. With over 40 years of combined
experience, we provide: professional,
experienced, former military/federal law
enforcement, armed close protection teams,
K-9 dogs for explosive detection and
protection, security officers both standing
and roving, investigations, under-cover
investigations, armed escorts, vehicle and
transportation convoy security, armed patrol
in vehicle and water craft, air craft protection
teams both on land and in the air,
translators, armed money/valuables escorts,
surveillance, global vehicle tracking, home
and business protection both uniformed and
plan clothes, armored vehicles, and more.
AD Consultancy
Headquarters:
ADC House
P.O. Box 153
Sutton, Surrey SM3 9WF
United Kingdom
Tel: 0870 707 0074
Fax: 0870 707 0075
Website: www.adconsultancy.com
Email:
security.services@adporta.com Contact in Iraq:
Ian Grealey
Tel: 0870 707 0074
Email:
ian.grealey@adporta.com Description of Services:
Risk and threat assessment, close
protection teams/bodyguards, asset
protection, secure commodity escort, travel
and escort security, residential and
premises security, aviation security,
maritime security, oil and gas industry
security, surveillance and counter
surveillance.
AKE Limited
Headquarters:
Mortimer House
Holmer Road
Hereford HR4 9TA
UK
Tel: [44] (0) 1432 267111
Fax: [44] (0) 1432 350227
Email:
services@akegroup.com Website: www.akegroup.com
Contact in Iraq:
Peter Hornett
Tel: [44] (0) 7739 094598
Email:
operations@akegroup.com Description of Services:
Hostile regions training, reduced personal
insurance rates, the services of security risk
specialists, location security audits,
personal security reviews, body armor,
medical audits, equipment, assistance and
evacuation; political, security, intelligence
and cultural briefings, subscription-based
online secure database of security, risk and
intelligence information, including
twice-weekly Iraq security briefings.
ArmorGroup
Headquarters:
25 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6LD
Tel: [44] (20) 7808-5800
Fax: [44] (20) 7233-7434
Email:
info@armorgroup.com or
jmillar@armorgroup.com Contact in Iraq:
John Farr, MBE
Country Manager
Tel: 0088 216 511 20010
Email:
jfarr@armorgroup.com Description of services:
ArmorGroup operates in 40 countries
worldwide and is a leading international risk
management, security services, mine
action, and information service provider. In
Iraq we currently have offices in Mosul,
Baghdad, and Basra, and on-going
operations throughout the country. They
provide major corporate and government
clients in Iraq with risk assessment and
management, close protection, manned
guarding, technical security systems, and
mine action services (mine clearing and
unexploded ordnance disposal). ArmorGroup
supports the Joint US/UK Government’s
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human
Rights, and subscribes to the Code of
Conduct of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement. ArmorGroup is a
United Nations approved provider, and is ISO
9001:2000 certified. ArmorGroup's Baghdad
office is not able to deal with job
applications. All applications must be
accompanied by a current CV/resume and
sent to:
jswaggertt@armorgroup.com (US
residents), or
cruart@armorgroup.com (UK
residents and other nationalities).
Control Risks Group
Headquarters:
83 Victoria Street
London SW1H OHW
