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Jcrowley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:12 AM
Original message
Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq
Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq
Civilian Number, Duties Are Issues

By Renae Merle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 5, 2006; D01

There are about 100,000 government contractors operating in Iraq, not counting subcontractors, a total that is approaching the size of the U.S. military force there, according to the military's first census of the growing population of civilians operating in the battlefield.

The survey finding, which includes Americans, Iraqis and third-party nationals hired by companies operating under U.S. government contracts, is significantly higher and wider in scope than the Pentagon's only previous estimate, which said there were 25,000 security contractors in the country.

It is also 10 times the estimated number of contractors that deployed during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, reflecting the Pentagon's growing post-Cold War reliance on contractors for such jobs as providing security, interrogating prisoners, cooking meals, fixing equipment and constructing bases that were once reserved for soldiers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120401311_pf.html
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SpiralHawk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:19 AM
Response to Original message
1. Republicon cronies: "Hooray for us, we're getting rich"
Edited on Tue Dec-05-06 08:20 AM by SpiralHawk
"Nothing like raking in those phony oil-war megabucks for us and our corrupt republicon cronies."

- Dick "Five Deferments" Cheney and Commander AWOL

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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:29 AM
Response to Original message
2. The article doesn't breakdown the "job" designation of all these
"contractors", but if you go by the company name and what it is known for, it looks like there are more than 10,000 mercs in country and maybe many, many more. This is so dishonorable (I know, "honor" is alien to American character these days). Not only is it ruining our standing in the world, it is costing so much money as to be outright robbery. This is no way to run an army.

"If you're trying to win hearts and minds and the contractor is driving 90 miles per hour through the streets and running over kids, that's not helping the image of the American army. The Iraqis aren't going to distinguish between a contractor and a soldier."

"Ugly American" just doesn't do justice to the slime we have become...
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GreenZoneLT Donating Member (805 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:49 AM
Response to Reply #2
4. Mercs?
Are you counting all the security guards? Because the Peruvian guys that guard all our checkpoints are basically rent-a-cops with bigger guns. Seems a bit harsh to call them mercenaries; they don't fight battles.

The Personal Security Detachment convoy guards are more likely to end up in a firefight, but they don't go looking for them. Some of them are serious dickheads, but it's not like they're out there doing raids or sweeps.



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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 09:15 AM
Response to Reply #4
6.  The U.S. government assumes no responsibility
The U.S. government assumes no responsibility

Security Companies Doing Business in Iraq

The U.S. government assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear on the list.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: perations@akegroup.com " target="_blank">perations@akegroup.com " target="_blank">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: psbaghdad@erinysinternational.com " target="_blank">psbaghdad@erinysinternational.com " target="_blank">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: ps@globalrsl.com " target="_blank">ps@globalrsl.com " target="_blank">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: marhadi@hotmail.com " target="_blank">marhadi@hotmail.com " target="_blank">omarhadi@hotmail.com

Contact in Iraq:
Omar Hadi
Tel: <1> 914-360-2492 or <1> 914-822-7707
Email: marhadi@hotmail.com " target="_blank">marhadi@hotmail.com " target="_blank">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: ptimal1@optusnet.com.au " target="_blank">ptimal1@optusnet.com.au " target="_blank">optimal1@optusnet.com.au

Contact in Iraq:
Zahir F. Hameed
Tel: +8821621233556
Email: ptimal_solution@hotmail.com " target="_blank">ptimal_solution@hotmail.com " target="_blank">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.

http://travel.state.gov/iraq_securitycompanies.html
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RaleighNCDUer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:04 PM
Response to Reply #6
26. This is just a short, sample list, no?
I notice Blackwater Security is not listed.
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 06:11 PM
Response to Reply #26
35. Here's a list
probably not all in Iraq


3D Global Solutions
AD Consultancy
AGS
AMECO
3S Security Support Solutions
Aegis Defence Services
AirScan Inc.
AKE Limited
Al Hamza
American International Security
Anteon International Corp.
Applied Marine Technology Inc.
ArmorGroup International PLC
Ayr Aviation
Babylon Gates
Ben Tal
BH Defense LLC
Blackheart International LLC
Blackwater USA
Blue Hackle Limited
Britam Defence, Ltd.
CACI International
Canine International
CastleForce Consultancy, Ltd.
Carnelian International Risks
Centurion Risk Assessment Services
Civilian Police International, LLC
Cochise Consultancy Inc.
Combat Support Associates, Ltd.
Control Risks Group
Crescent Security Group
CTC Training
CTU ASIA
Cubic Corporation
Custer Battles
Defence Systems Limited
Demming Enterprises International, Ltd.
Diligence, LLC
Double Eagle Management Company
DS Vance Iraq
DTS Security
DynCorp
Edinburgh Risk
Edinburgh International Security, Ltd.
EODT Technology, Inc.
Erinys International Ltd.
Evergreen International Aviation
Excalibre
Executive Outcomes
Executive Solutions International
Falcon Group
Genric, Ltd.
Greystone, Ltd.
Global Marine Security Systems Company
Global Options, Inc.
Global Strategies Group
Golan Group
Group 4 Securicor
Hart Group
Henderson Risk, Ltd.
Hill and Associates
Homeland Security Corporation
ICP Group, Ltd.
International Charter Incorporated of Oregon
ISEC Corporate Security, Ltd.
ISI Security
J-3 Global
Janusian Security Risk Management Ltd.
Keenie Meenie Services
Kellogg Brown and Root
Kroll, Inc.
Levdan, Ltd.
Management and Training Corporation
Main Street Supply & Logistics
Medical Support Solutions, Ltd.
Meteoric Tactical Solutions
Meyer and Associates
Military Professional Resources Inc.
Mushriqui Consulting
MVM, Inc.
NAF Security
Neareast Security
New Korea Total Service
Northbridge Services Group, Ltd.
Pistris, Inc.
Olive Group
Omega Risk Solutions
Optimal Solution Services
Orion Management
OSSI-Safenet
Overseas Security and Strategic Information, Inc/Safenet - Iraq
Pacific Architects and Engineers, Inc.
PSI International
PSD Training
PWC Logistics
RamOPS Risk Management Group
Reed, Inc.
Ronco
Rubicon International Services, Ltd.
Saladin Security
Sandline International
SCG International Risk
Science Applications International Corporation
Securiforce
Security Applications Systems International LLC
Select Armor, Inc.
Sentinel
SGS
Silver Shadow
Smith Brandon International
Southern Cross Security
Special Operations Consulting-Security Management Group
Special Ops Associates
Steele Foundation
Sumer International Security
Tarik
THULE Global Security International
Titan Corporation
Toifor
Triple Canopy Inc.
US Investigations Services
Unity Resources Group
USA Enviromental
Vinnell Corporation
Vinnell Brown and Root (VBR)
VIP Investigations & Protective Services Inc.
Wade-Boyd and Associates LLC
Whitestone Group
WVC3 Group, Inc.
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speedingbullet Donating Member (133 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-08-06 09:58 AM
Response to Reply #6
56. Custer Battles?
Am I the only one to see some irony in that name? Let's hope they don't find their own Little Bighorn.
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Dhalgren Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 10:11 AM
Response to Reply #4
10. You put hired, armed personnel into a combat zone, you got mercs.
It doesn't matter how you deploy them. Also, not one of us back here in sleepville know how these armed mercs are deployed; even our own troops in country would not necessarily know how the mercs are used (until they come across the dead bodies)...
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 10:46 AM
Response to Reply #4
11. If you'd like an answer to your questions TRY ANSWERING A FEW YOURSELF
You never return to a discussion, to my knowledge.



Diary of an interrogator: After a tough day's questioning, a relaxing evening of jail-roof golf

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington
09 May 2004


Among the golfers is a civilian accused by a US Army report of being "directly or indirectly responsible for the abuse" at the prison. The diary also reveals the pressure on interrogators and the extremely right-wing views of some.

Joe Ryan, a former Green Beret working in Abu Ghraib for CACI International, a defence IT contractor, had been keeping the diary for a conservative talk-show radio station in Minneapolis, KSTP 1500. The diary was posted on the station's website until, Mr Ryan said, military authorities requested its removal. On 25 April, Mr Ryan wrote: "We have foreign fighters from Morocco, Syria, Jordan, and other countries detained here. They are not sponsored by their respective countries to come here, but it is due to their individual choices, be it religious or stupidity ... I got to take the rest of the day off after our long booth time. This gave us a nice evening after dinner to head to the roof and play a round of golf.

"Scott Norman, Jeff Mouton, Steve Hattabaugh, Steve Stefanowicz, and I all took turns trying to hit balls over the back wall and on to the highway. Since the club is a left-handed 3 iron, I had an unfair advantage and missed a dump truck by only about 10 feet ... We do what we can to make it fun here."

Mr Stefanowicz, 35, a former naval reserve officer also employed by Arlington-based CACI International as an interrogator, became a reservist in the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 2001. A CACI official said last week that Mr Stefanowicz was "by all accounts doing a damn fine job". But Major General Antonio Taguba, who carried out an investigation into the abuses at Abu Ghraib, believed Mr Stefanowicz was one of the people "either directly or indirectly responsible for the abuses at Abu Ghraib".
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=519434



05/09/2004 Entry: "Meanwhile, While We Were Torturing: Joe Ryan's Iraq Diary (from Abu Ghraib)"

http://www.thesyndrome.com/archives/00000856.htm
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GreenZoneLT Donating Member (805 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 12:40 AM
Response to Reply #11
40. Not exactly true
I have a limited time to post, since I'm basically killing time at work while waiting for other people to finish up stuff. And I'm 8 hours ahead of EST, so most of the time nobody ever responds to MY posts for several hours, by which time I'm slammed at work, or have gone home.
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 11:14 AM
Response to Reply #4
12. 70,000 armed men working as security contractors
According to Robert Young Pelton's upcoming book Licensed To Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror, there are now over 70,000 armed men working as security contractors in Iraq.
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dchill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #12
13. 70,000 armed men...
Hell, just double that and bring the troops home - and leave the corporates to defend their own interests. I know - US taxpayers would still be footing the bill.
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 11:36 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. but they have a license
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:13 PM
Response to Reply #4
27. Sounds like you KNOW the Geneva Conventions make hiring mercs illegal
Private armies like Blackwater "offically" claim that they are not in the battle zones to actually fight or assinate, but only for "security" or "training" or maybe "guarding food shipments".



"Private military corporations become a way to distance themselves and create what we used to call `plausible deniability.'"

Daniel Nelson, former professor at the Defense Department's Marshall European Center for Security Studies




Ever hear of Jack Idema?
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GreenZoneLT Donating Member (805 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 12:52 AM
Response to Reply #27
41. Nope, haven't heard of him.
I'm not saying there couldn't be private mercenary fighting forces in Iraq I don't know about (I'm a pretty low pay grade, and not that privy to classified operational stuff), I'm just saying it seems unlikely. There's no reporting on it in the Iraqi media, not even from the outlets that do nothing but insurgent propaganda.

There MIGHT be some actual offensive-ops mercenaries here from Blackwater, but I can't figure out why anyone would hire them. Private companies don't need that kind of work, the Iraqis can't afford it, and that's the one area the U.S. military DOESN'T contract out. The Blackwater guys are just bodyguards.

I googled Jack Idema. Sounds like a nutjob con man. Even if he's not just crazy, and there are contractors doing nasty covert things in Afghanistan for the CIA, that's very unlikely here in Iraq, because private contractors can't move around here without getting blown up or shot.

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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 09:08 AM
Response to Reply #41
46. sorry I should have posted this, you didn't have to google
Did ya know Steve Cambone who just left the administration knew all about this guy?

Green Beret J. K. Idema -- Just who the hell is this guy


At the heart of their investigation is a former American special forces soldier, Jona than Keith "Jack" Idema, who is alleged to have run the private jail and was being questioned on Thursday night.
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=118432


FBI Agent Philip Hanssen Was Involved in the Idema Case.
FBI Agent, and Soviet Spy Philip Hanssen was involved in the Idema case. The American Green Beret claimed the CIA and FBI were compromised by the KGB. In 1993, the former Special Forces NCO, Idema, refused to give up the names of his agents in the Soviet Union, claiming the FBI and CIA were compromised, and his agents would be killed. Idema specifically named the Soviet Spies' FBI positions.

Green Beret J. K. Idema
in El Salvador 1984

Idema had pinpointed Soviet agents in the FBI and CIA in early 1994 conversations with former CNN Vice-president Ted Kavanau. Subsequently Aldrich Ames was arrested, and two years later, Earl Edwin Pitts. Idema has steadfastly insisted that there were other Soviet agents in the FBI, and specifically named them as formerly assigned to the New York Counter-intelligence Office - Team I-8. Now Philip Hanssen has been arrested. Yet the FBI and Clinton administration consistently prevented Idema from testifying in front of Congress- WHY? what were they hiding?

Hanssen had access to Idema's case information, and worked in New York Counter-intelligence. During the height of the Idema incident, Hanssen worked out of the Washington Field Office 1994), which directly dealt with Idema's information, he then went to the NSD in December 1994 (where he had continued access to Idema's case and his information.

PBN News is working to FOIA the documents linking Hanssen to Idema and the FBI's botched investigation of the nuclear smuggling incidents. Other news agencies are encouraged to pursue FOIA requests for documents linking Hanssen to the 1993-1996 Russian nuclear smuggling investigations
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:36_oZcH_I3cJ:www.nev ...

Any Lesser Man - A Keith Idema documentary about Soviet nuclear smuggling, KGB Double agents in the FBI and CIA, and how one US Army Green Beret went to prison for trying to expose it.
http://newswire.fathermag.com/dir/Society/Issues/War,_W ...


January 1, 2001 Update!
After dozens of radio interviews about the documentary in progress, Idema & Scurka temporarily put interviews on hold in order to devote their time to working with famed author Robin Moore on the Idema book, tentatively titled "NEVER GIVE UP".

Last fall Idema broke the story on the April 1993 secret meeting Janet Reno had, during which US Army Delta Force personnel warned Reno about taking action at Waco, saying they feared an ill-prepared FBI assault would take innocent lives. Read World Net Daily's Mail Archives. These incredible revelations, along with secret documents, proved that Reno and Freeh lied to the American people during their congressional testimony. Idema also spoke out about the real story behind Yosef Bodansky's White House press release claiming Osama bin Laden has suitcase nuclear weapons, to use against America for terrorist attacks. See Smuggling and Black Markets.

Additionally, Idema and Scurka were engaged in a special project for the last year resulted in uncovering massive amounts of exculpatory evidence in a national murder case. That project also delayed completion of Scurka's documentary until late 2001. Idema and Scurka, along with a special team of Green Berets, were successful in uncovering additional former Soviet/communist spies in the American government, and the resulting story on a Green Beret Colonel, wrongfully accused of murder, can be seen at www.pbnews.tv

Last year Barry Farber, a national talk radio host, dedicated a special two hour program to the Idema story.

In a rare in-studio interview, authors Robin Moore and Jim Morris, who were in New York to pitch their own new books, joined Farber to talk about the Idema story. Also on the show were Ted Kavanau, the man who started CNN’s news bureau, and there to talk about the movie, was Producer Gary Scurka.
Update 12/2001
America's War on Terror, again, has put Scurka's documentary on hold. Scurka was wounded by al-Qaida and Taliban forces in Northern Afghanistan in November 2001, and Idema is currently engaged in supporting America's War on Terror in an undisclosed role.
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:36_oZcH_I3cJ:www.nev ...


Keith Idema says it was by making collect pay telephone calls to the Barry Farber talk radio show that he was able to tell the world he had uncovered evidence that Russians had smuggled nuclear material and weapons out of their country.

Idema also used the Barry Farber show to say he was being imprisoned on phony wire fraud charges because he refused to give the FBI and CIA the names of the secret sources who had fingered the Russians for him. Idema says he refused to divulge his sources because he was told spies had penetrated both the FBI and CIA and so feared for his contacts' lives. Today's WorldNetDaily Waco exclusive is just the latest example of the intersection of talk radio and the Internet -- of New Media in action, the theme of WorldNetDaily's first-ever conference to be held Sept. 17-19 in Los Angeles.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp ?...


'Freelance' US fighter identified

Idema may have been acting beyond the control of US troops
Three foreigners arrested in Kabul this week were on a freelance counter-terrorism mission, the Afghan government says.
They include at least one US national, Jonathan K Idema, a purported former US special services soldier who says he helped fight the Taleban in 2001.

The men were detained for illegally holding Afghans in a private prison.

The Interior Minister, Ali Ahmad Jalali, said their activities had no legal standing.

US officials say Mr Idema had tried to pass himself off as an American government or military official.
more
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3876601.stm


'Keith Idema'

Stupid Victims or a Dire Threat?
Barry Farber
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002

Through the Lithuanian KGB, now free to be anti-Russian as well as anti-Soviet, Idema learned that virtual Niagaras of Soviet weapons-grade nuclear material were being sold out of Russia into the hands of the international terrorist underground.

Idema returned to America and was the star of a Pentagon briefing in 1992. Afterward, two gentlemen came up to him, congratulated him on his intelligence coup, introduced themselves as representatives of the FBI and CIA, and said they were ready to take a list of his sources from him to continue his excellent work.

"Nothing doing," said Sgt. Idema. "I had to promise my Lithuanian sources I would reveal nothing to the FBI or the CIA. They say you're full of moles and full of holes and I should disclose my information only to the Defense Department or a representative of the president of the United States."

The two agents were displeased. They had Idema indicted and convicted on charges of something called wire fraud, giving false business references, or something like that.

Idema still says he's innocent, but the interesting thing is that, even if guilty, the sentence should have been six months. They kept shuffling Keith from one federal prison to another for over six years, giving the impression he was going to stay in until he played ball with the FBI and the CIA.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/2/27/2357 ...


July 08, 2004 -- 04:10 PM EDT // link // print)
Weird, weird, weird ... Late reports out of Afghanistan say that an American named Jonathan Idema was arrested with others for conducting a "self-appointed counterterrorism mission

that included abusing eight inmates in a private jail by hanging them by their feet."

Jonathan Idema is apparently the same guy as 'Keith Idema' who was a short-term commando celeb in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002 appearing on various TV networks. He also turns up in various jails or suing Steven Spielberg et al. for stealing ideas for a movie script he and others allegedly wrote.

The US military has gone to great lengths to disassociate itself from Idema since he was apparently putting himself forward as some sort of US special forces operator or contractor. A statement from the US military said "the public should be aware that Idema does not represent the American government and we do not employ him."

Indeed, "security sources" tell the BBC that the "US military circulated warning notices about Mr Idema some time ago, describing him as armed and dangerous and accusing him
more
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com


Heart Of Darkness

"When I looked at these tapes, I said, ‘ My God, this is the same kind of stuff that we did in 1980.'"
Keith Idema, a former member of the U.S. special forces

60 Minutes II obtained these tapes from Keith Idema, a former member of the U.S. special forces. He is a Green Beret. He says he went to Afghanistan as a civilian military adviser to the Northern Alliance and was with them as they pushed towards Kabul.

“When they came across the Shomali Plain to this compound,” Idema says, “they found a lot of documents. They had gotten the tapes right away but they were scared to bring the tapes forward. And they were scared to tell anybody they had them.”

Although Northern Alliance soldiers had described the trining tapes to him, Idema says he was surprised when he finally took a look.

“When I looked at these tapes, I said, ‘My God, this is the same kind of stuff that we did in 1980,” he says referring to the United States’ elite military units. “So are their skills as good as ours? As good as the U.S. special operations community? The answer is no. Clearly, man for man, we’d wipe them out. But they’re not coming against us; they’re coming against regular civilians and that’s clear in their training. They don’t use military tactics. Their training is not as sophisticated as ours, but it’s not designed to be.”

more
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/16/60II/main3245 ...

Spielberg Spies on White House?
Has America's most beloved filmmaker committed espionage against the United States? Green Berets Keith Idema and Jim Morris, along with Investigative Producer Gary Scurka and his wife Kathy Wolff, a network news anchor, have filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Spielberg and a half dozen others, including a former White House Official. The Complaint alleges that Spielberg and others, engaged in a conspiratorial enterprise for the purpose of stealing Idema’s story to produce The Peacemaker film using materials Plaintiffs had submitted to Amblin, Spielberg’s production company.

Spielberg is charged with receiving classified nuclear smuggling information and documents illegally removed from the White House by former NSC staffer Jessica Stern. Several defendants are accused of criminal violations of Federal laws. Fantastic as it sounds, there appears to be proof that DreamWorks derived the information for George Clooney's THE PEACEMAKER by accessing NSC Nuclear Smuggling Group information and materials.
more
http://www.pbnnews.tv/stealberg.htm


'Blast from the past' - ICS (Idema Combat Systems) Vest

Shown here more for 'historical purposes', this is an ICS vest that Keith Idema (U.S. Army SF, ret.) made at Bragg in the early-mid 80's (according to J.S, who kindly included this vest along with the Paraclete RACK above). When I hear the name 'Idema', I somehow associate it with controversy (unjustly imprisoned) or paintball. If I remember correctly, Idema also made paintball vests for a time. Although the design and construction is dated by today's standards, it has interesting features that weren't seen on vests at that time. The front of the vest consists of two large velrco patches for modular pouches. The main body of the vest is made of large-weave mesh fabric, which is quite soft. On the right shoulder is a suede pad to provide a non-slip surface for a rifle butt. Below that is what looks like a shotshell/utility pouch. The left chest has a pouch which will hold two handgun mags, with a small compass/FFD pouch above that on the left shoulder. On the left hip is a radio pouch with a wire retaining tab on the left shoulder above the compass pouch. There's a utility pouch on the right hip as well. Inside the vest are two velcro-closed map pockets. The vest is not adjustable for height, but is adjusted for girth by four elastic tabs that interface with horizontal velcro strips on the lower back. The upper back of the vest has a expanding backpack with velcro closure.
The modular panels come in a few different configurations: triple M4 mag panel, 5 MP5 mag panel, shotshell panel (holds 24 shells), and a utility panel with two large pockets for which I'm unclear of the use. The mag pouches all have elastic retention and velcro lids. All in all, it was a pretty innovative vest for its time. I'd have been thrilled to have one in the early 80's, as I remember how excited I was to get my first vest - an Eagle TAC vest sometime in the late 80's.



http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/equipment.2.htm ...

Al-Qaida tapes detail killing skills
Teams shown learning how to shoot, kidnap
Boston Globe
Last Updated: Jan. 14, 2002

Unlike other al-Qaida training videos that have been found, which show members receiving basic military training like running through obstacle courses, these tapes focus on the group's plans on using hostage-taking tactics and assassination as part of their activities.

The tapes were recently discovered in the possession of Northern Alliance forces by J. Keith Idema, a former U.S. Army Special Forces non-commissioned officer and counterterrorism specialist who now advises the Afghan military. Idema, who is called Jack in Afghanistan, said he decided to make the tapes public to underscore the threat al-Qaida still poses. "These videos put a face on al-Qaida," he said recently. "I think every American should see these tapes."

The Globe, along with other select news organizations, including CBS and the BBC, was allowed to see the tapes. The tapes are expected to be aired by CBS on Wednesday.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/attack/jan02/12503.asp

By: oda324
Date/Time: 5/26/2004 5:07:05 PM
Message:
Anyone who has questions regarding Keith Idema and his active
army service in the 1970's may email me at oda324<-at->yahoo.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Lloyd V Evans, ll
Date/Time: 5/25/2004 5:05:30 PM
Message:
I just sent this to Post Cmdr Fred:
Hi Fred, I feel that I've been down this road before, but is membership open to the members of this associaiton that have received, from the MND/ROC on Taiwan, the Honor Medal for 823 Bombardment (1958) and/ot the US-ROC Mutual Defense Comemortive Badge (1955-1979)? Most meet VFW (AFEM) acceptance and many not (as they have no AFEM)but all have one or both of the aforementioned honoraria.

If so, is theiran application you can email me; what are dues and how does one get them to you?
Get back to me (A review of www.taiwanvets.com ) will evidence who we are. We number 5,000 to date.
LLOYD Evans (25MAY04)
823 Badge of Honor Assoc.USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Mel Painter
Date/Time: 5/24/2004 6:39:16 AM
Message:
There is always JD & Coke for any member that passes through Basra, Iraq. Just call me at cell 780-100-7907 or 202-216-6295 x206 (Washington DC phone that rings in Basra, Iraq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Mac Thompson
Date/Time: 5/22/2004 8:54:21 PMMessage:
The SKY BBS is up and running again, now that the A-hole who sort of hijacked it has been banned. Take a look at: http://www.gilhooleyssaloon.com / and click on SKY BBS
Mac
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Jim Luke
Date/Time: 5/19/2004 9:50:13 AM
Message:
If you’ll Google this guy you’ll find all manner of info on him from congressional hearings to designing LBE. Lotsa stuff on the Fringe Right “news sites”.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Sam Stapleton
Date/Time: 5/18/2004 4:18:17 AM
Message:
To: Jim McClain
Sorry for the intrusion on your list. I'm a humanitarian ops working in Afghanistan and am also trying to find out who this Keith Idema is, but so far not succeeding. I came across your post online. Journalists are asking me who this is - saying he is in Afghanistan (or was) trying to find him. Some folks I know at Bagram told me to stay away from the guy. I don't know. . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Jim McClain
Date/Time: 5/9/2004 1:44:02 PM
Message:
As posted before, my/our intent is not to create any animosity or conflict, but to discover where the supposed 'stories' are coming from and to protect our families reputations. If anyone can offer any insight, it'd be appreciated. PS Went to SunNFun, didn't see any Ravens around the O-1 park, but a few were for sale. We've got 4 O-2s and an L-19 where I am. Give a call if you're in town. Banzai Sends
---------------------------------------------------------------------By: Jim McClain
Date/Time: 5/6/2004 5:16:16 PM
Message:
Anyone in-country or at home know of a Keith Idema, supposed counter-terr expert, trainer, and SF grad? He is targeting vets and humanitarian orgs who seem to be questioning his bonafides. He has a support group that gives him intel on real world ops as well as news contacts for photo ops. I, and several other Desert One vets, were identified as being 'wannabes' on one of his friends internet sites with the result that we have received hate mail/calls/email. Our only desire is to ask this person where he gets his facts. We were told he was on the "MC130 that blew up due to a CIA time bomb, and not the helo impact", but we did not see him on our plane as we were there nor do we remember the 'bomb' being on the cargo manifest. Our inquiries so far have resulted in an attorney threatening to sue us for questioning his authenticity. Any ideas or info would be appreciated as we are just poor church mice retired Air Commandos on disability. Thanks. Jim "Banzai" McClain..we go home
By: oda324
Date/Time: 5/26/2004 5:07:05 PM
Message:
nyone who has questions regarding Keith Idema and his active
army service in the 1970's may email me at oda324<-at->yahoo.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Lloyd V Evans, ll
Date/Time: 5/25/2004 5:05:30 PM
Message:
I just sent this to Post Cmdr Fred:
Hi Fred, I feel that I've been down this road before, but is membership open to the members of this associaiton that have received, from the MND/ROC on Taiwan, the Honor Medal for 823 Bombardment (1958) and/ot the US-ROC Mutual Defense Comemortive Badge (1955-1979)? Most meet VFW (AFEM) acceptance and many not (as they have no AFEM)but all have one or both of the aforementioned honoraria.

If so, is theiran application you can email me; what are dues and how does one get them to you?
Get back to me (A review of www.taiwanvets.com ) will evidence who we are. We number 5,000 to date.
LLOYD Evans (25MAY04)
823 Badge of Honor Assoc.USA
---------------------------------------------------------------------By: Mel Painter
Date/Time: 5/24/2004 6:39:16 AM
Message:
There is always JD & Coke for any member that passes through Basra, Iraq. Just call me at cell 780-100-7907 or 202-216-6295 x206 (Washington DC phone that rings in Basra, Iraq.
------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Mac Thompson
Date/Time: 5/22/2004 8:54:21 PM
Message:
The SKY BBS is up and running again, now that the A-hole who sort of hijacked it has been banned. Take a look at: http://www.gilhooleyssaloon.com / and click on SKY BBS
Mac
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Jim Luke
Date/Time: 5/19/2004 9:50:13 AM
Message:
If you’ll Google this guy you’ll find all manner of info on him from congressional hearings to designing LBE. Lotsa stuff on the Fringe Right “news sites”.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Sam Stapleton
Date/Time: 5/18/2004 4:18:17 AM
Message:
To: Jim McClain
Sorry for the intrusion on your list. I'm a humanitarian ops working in Afghanistan and am also trying to find out who this Keith Idema is, but so far not succeeding. I came across your post online. Journalists are asking me who this is - saying he is in Afghanistan (or was) trying to find him. Some folks I know at Bagram told me to stay away from the guy. I don't know. . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Jim McClain
Date/Time: 5/9/2004 1:44:02 PM
Message:
As posted before, my/our intent is not to create any animosity or conflict, but to discover where the supposed 'stories' are coming from and to protect our families reputations. If anyone can offer any insight, it'd be appreciated. PS Went to SunNFun, didn't see any Ravens around the O-1 park, but a few were for sale. We've got 4 O-2s and an L-19 where I am. Give a call if you're in town. Banzai Sends
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Jim McClain
Date/Time: 5/6/2004 5:16:16 PM
Message:
Anyone in-country or at home know of a Keith Idema, supposed counter-terr expert, trainer, and SF grad? He is targeting vets and humanitarian orgs who seem to be questioning his bonafides. He has a support group that gives him intel on real world ops as well as news contacts for photo ops. I, and several other Desert One vets, were identified as being 'wannabes' on one of his friends internet sites with the result that we have received hate mail/calls/email. Our only desire is to ask this person where he gets his facts. We were told he was on the "MC130 that blew up due to a CIA time bomb, and not the helo impact", but we did not see him on our plane as we were there nor do we remember the 'bomb' being on the cargo manifest. Our inquiries so far have resulted in an attorney threatening to sue us for questioning his authenticity. Any ideas or info would be appreciated as we are just poor church mice retired Air Commandos on disability. Thanks. Jim "Banzai" McClain..we go home
more
http://www.chinapost1.org/guestbook.asp


J. Keith Idema, an American civilian adviser to the Afghan United Front,

Security experts in Kabul believe Osama bin Laden's group may have been thinking of a second attack on the former president, this time during a golf tournament.

"The documents clearly list how presidential protective details are structured, what they do and what vulnerabilities to look for," said J. Keith Idema, an American civilian adviser to the Afghan United Front, also known as the Northern Alliance, one of the members of the Afghan Interim Administration. Idema has analyzed captured al Qaida records, including graphic terrorist training video tapes recently aired on CBS' "60 Minutes" television program.

"Al Qaida studied the strong points and weak points of Secret Service protection, concluding that streets and open areas are the best locations for a presidential assassination," added the former member of the U.S. Army's elite special forces. An al Qaida assassination manual includes a study of U.S. presidential protection.

"Bodyguards always watch the crowd around the principal, instead of watching him," said one passage that concluded a relaxed, open setting would be the ideal environment for an attack. Another part of the text analyzes the sequence of vehicles in presidential motorcades, noting the heavily armed reaction teams go behind the presidential limousine.
more
http://www.upi.com/print.cfm?StoryID=04022002-082828-84 ...

A highly decorated spokesman for both the U.S. Ranger Association and the 75th Ranger Association, flatly stated that General Shinseki's action is an insult, as well as a collective and official slap in the face, to everyone who ever volunteered for an Airborne, Ranger, or Special Forces unit and completed the arduous training. A former Ranger writing to the editors of USA Today stated that General Shinseki's dictum "steps on the graves of every Ranger who gave his life for his country." Keith Idema, in a letter to the editor of the Fayetteville Observer, astutely observed that, to carry his theory to its logical conclusion, General Shinseki should "issue every single soldier a Congressional Medal of Honor," complete with an appropriate ceremony, then, when each was "instantaneously transformed into an All-American ... hero," we could reduce the Army to 10,000 super-warriors, thereby "saving a ton of money."
http://www.rangerblackberet.com/sof.php3

A reviewer, someone who was there, December 29, 2003,
Good true tales but disappointing tangents
Moore writes a readable and often engaging true yarn of America’s best soldiers. The book usually reads like eyewitness accounts based on his on-the-ground research. Moore is supremely qualified for this and delivers an excellent story especially regarding key battles in Afghanistan like Tora Bora. However, this tale is best read with a fair degree of objectiveness. He strays into rightwing political dogma based on few facts (the Clinton administration hardly left the military hallow and the CIA’s clandestine service was in fact on a recruiting drive in the late 1990s). He unfairly berates all non-Special Forces soldiers (although not without a point). Finally, his work is greatly weakened when he includes stories that are not relevant to the story of the Green Berets he’s trying to give justice to. One case in point are the tales of Jack, who is in fact Keith Idema, and not several people as he suggests.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry ...

Team House Guestbook 2004

All should know. That Keith Edema was NEVER a SGM, or a member of Delta. Selection, which was alive and well at Dawson for those folks, would have chewed his punk a-- up and spit it out because this is a test of performance and not conning anyone, and he would have been found wanting, this pitiful Bite.
Jake
USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 23:06:35 (EDT)

Mr. W. Hunter. The folks at Socnet.com (http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threa ... ) have it wrong. idema was not a rigger, though he did go into that business later after his enlistment. idema, did go into the gear/kit producing business. This led to him to be able to go on and obtain his felony ('s). idema did go to the 10th when it was still at Ft. Devens, I think as a 12B (now 18C), because he couldn't handle the 05B, (18E) training regimen. I think that he was soon put off of Team and relegated to a Support role there, and got on out when able.
Jake
USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 20:17:57 (EDT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you mean to tell me that Edema is a real person? And all this time I had thought that he was a figment of his own imagination. BTW: The next time he says he was a Sergeant Major, you are authorized to call him a bald-faced liar.
Wannabee Hunter
Down East, NC USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 19:11:19 (EDT)
---------------------------------------------------------------------...to continue...Edema would have been "peered out" in my opinion. He is a convicted felon, Search www.google.com . Keith Idema, felon. His rap is that the USGov. planted these charges. Reality is that he was convicted of defrauding east coast business associates. I wouldn't let this guy near my dog, much less feed her...much less do business with him in any way. This sorry individual was and does remain a blight on the SF Community in my opinion. Regards, Jake
Jake
USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 19:07:09 (EDT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As relates to subject Idema...I knew him when going through training group. He was an a--hole, a Buddy and Team F--ker. It's as simple as that. If I remember correctly, was kicked out of TG, but re-instated because his dad was a NY power broker who had some pull with their local Congresscritters. Too bad this guy went through TG before there was Selection because he would have surely been
Jake
USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 18:47:00 (EDT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To address the person(s)asking about J. Keith Idema, SF. To date, there is much online about his past SF exploits as well as his present SF enterprises. He is reported to have gone to Afghanistan in 2001 with a humanitarian org, then reappeared as a combatant leading freedom fighters. He has supposedly sued CNN for nonpayment of a video from there as well as Spielberg for an adaptation of the Peacemaker movie which was supposed to be based on his exploits. He is supposed to be on the ground in Iraq now working for an agency interrogating prisoners. Independently, he has several news agencies as well as LEOs trying to question him but has a legal defense that does not allow access to him. If one does try to confront him or print anything (such as this posting)even mildly about him, they will find themselves receiving legal threats, hate email, hate phone calls. I, for one, along with several other SF, Ranger, and Air Commandos, have been accused indirectly by members of Idema support groups of being wannabes or worse. I am USAF Ret, member of Air Force Assoc, Air Commando Assoc, Special Ops Assoc, DAV, Kiwanis, and presently sqdn command for a Civil Air Patrol Sq. I am mentioned in No Room For Error by Carney/Schemmer, The Guts To Try and Air Commando by Phil Chinnery. I assist disabled veterans at no expense with claims as well as documenting their experiences in photostories. I am known at SOCOM and AFSOC units to this date and my son carries on as a third generation Air Commando. I was the loadmaster on the aircraft that was destroyed at Desert One Iran on 24 April 1980, which his supporters say I was not as he was there on the same plane, as well as in country months before and also training Delta supposedly elsewhere. Truth or not, doesn't matter to me. What does matter is that before accusing someone, get the facts first. There are several fine retirees/vets who have been hurt by Idema's supporters. In any event, I do not feel I have to be defensive, outraged, or foaming at the mouth. I would hope that anyone caught in a similar situation keep their perspective, sense of humor, and mostly not feel sorry for people who feel they have to prove themselves at the expense of others. As in most situations...those who have been there are the Quiet Professionals.
jim mcclain <banzaisgi@swfla.rr.com >
cape coral, fl USA - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 09:45:40 (EDT)
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:hwVa6O0yhmwJ:teamhou ...


JudiLyn
This story linked in seemslikeadream's collection was never aired before

I'm SURE I've never heard it, but first of all, it's from UPI, so I guess it matters what the date was when Rev. Moon bought UPI, doesn't it? It used to be reputable.

Al Qaida may have tried to kill Clinton
By Martin Arostegui
Published 10/18/2002 6:34 PM


The following story is a re-release of an article that United Press International originally published by on Feb. 6, 2002.


KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Al Qaida may have tried to kill former President Clinton, apparently while he was in office, and perhaps planned further attempts on world leaders, United Press International has learned.

Specific references to Clinton were found among handwritten notes and sketches of U.S. Secret Service protective methods recovered from the Shomali compound near Kabul where al Qaida members received specialized training in assassination and hostage taking.

"We have attempted to kill Clinton, but failed," documents in Arabic released exclusively to United Press International Monday state. Although the text indicates the attack was planned around some high-level conference or international summit, it does not mention an exact date. Analysts in Kabul believe the attempt was planned about two years ago.

Nor does the text reveal whether the plan was abandoned or had failed in some other way.

Security experts in Kabul believe Osama bin Laden's group may have been thinking of a second attack on the former president, this time during a golf tournament.

"The documents clearly list how presidential protective details are structured, what they do and what vulnerabilities to look for," said J. Keith Idema, an American civilian adviser to the Afghan United Front, also known as the Northern Alliance, one of the members of the Afghan Interim Administration. Idema has analyzed captured al Qaida records, including graphic terrorist training video tapes recently aired on CBS' "60 Minutes" television program.
(snip)
http://www.upi.com/print.cfm?StoryID=04022002-082828-84 ...

Idema sounds unhinged, actually. But WHO KNEW this plotting was going on about Clinton by anyone other than our own right wing? Hmmmmmmmm.

Makes you wonder why he didn't decide he was going to try to take over the world, just like little Dubya in mock revenge, doesn't it?


The man who thinks he's George Clooney. A story of today's Kabul

Duncan Campbell and Kitty Logan in Kabul
Friday July 9, 2004
The Guardian

In the meantime, he had become something of a media security pundit, popping up on television programmes to comment on security matters.

During the war in Afghanistan in 2001, Mr Idema and a number of other former US military members linked up with the Northern Alliance rebel group, who were fighting the Taliban. He offered his services to the media and appeared on American television news programmes after having supposedly found al-Qaida training camp footage in Kabul.

When Fox News showed the footage, Mr Idema launched another civil action, seeking $2m damages for supposedly showing the footage without his permission.

He also threatened to punch Geraldo Rivera, the controversial Fox News commentator, who, Mr Idema claimed, had messed up the operations of the Northern Alliance by irresponsible reporting.

Mr Idema, who has a reputation in Kabul for volatility, is also the source of much internet gossip on sites used by ex-members of the US special forces, not all of whom would describe themselves as admirers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,1257 ...


Defense Department Operational Update Briefing

United States Department of Defense.
News Transcript

Thursday, July 8, 2004 3:12 p.m. EDT

Q Larry, Afghanistan, the three Americans who were arrested. One of them is named Idema. I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing that right. But he's supposed to be former Army Special Forces. Do you have any information about his background?

MR. DIRITA: Not much. I do understand that there appears to be some former military -- he has a military background, but I don't know to what extent, how long he was in the service. I don't have those details. It's -- there have been a handful of people scooped up, and he's one of them. But beyond that, I don't think we have much detail.

(To General Rodriguez) Do you have anything?

GEN. RODRIGUEZ: No, we do not.
Q He's not presently in the military?GEN. RODRIGUEZ: No, he's not presently in the military.

Q How recent, do you know -- (inaudible) --

GEN. RODRIGUEZ: No, I don't know how recent, no.

Q -- or what type of service he had?

MR. DIRITA: We don't have a lot of detail, just other than it appears it has been confirmed that he had some military service.

GEN. RODRIGUEZ: Yes.

Ex-local man, 2 others allegedly imprisoned Afghans
By Nik Bonopartis
Poughkeepsie Journal

A former Poughkeepsie man is being held by Afghan authorities for allegedly operating as a mercenary, ''arresting'' eight Afghans and imprisoning them in a Kabul home where he allegedly had them hanging by their feet.
Jonathan Keith Idema, 48, is being held along with two other American men by Afghan security officials after they were arrested and detained Monday in the Kabul home where they allegedly kept their prisoners, said Brenda Greenberg, a State Department spokeswoman.

Idema, the former owner of a Hyde Park ammunition and gun shop who claims he is a former Green Beret, has been in Afghanistan for about three months, fighting terrorism and serving as an adviser to Afghan forces through ''extensive contacts with the (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai government,'' said his lawyer, John Tiffany of Bloomfield, N.J.

''He's been tracking terrorists,'' said Tiffany, who said he was retained by Idema after ''wanted'' signs with his name and photo began appearing in the Afghan capital.

Military and national records officials could not confirm Idema's purported former military service. The State Department said Idema does not currently serve with the military
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/today/localnews/stor ...

Bogus commandos held
Afghans say 4 posed as Special Forces unit


KABUL Four men claiming to be Americans and posing as Special Forces commandos were arrested by Afghan security agents in a raid on a house here, NATO and Afghan officials said. At least eight men being held prisoner in the house and four interpreters were also detained, the officials said.

A spokesman for the NATO force, Commander Chris Henderson, said that he was aware of the case, and that at least one American was among four foreigners arrested Monday. He said that the men were not connected to U.S. forces and that he had "no idea" who they were.

The U.S. Embassy said it was investigating the matter. "We have reports that there are three Americans, but we don't have confirmation," an embassy official said. The men did not have documents to prove their identity, he added.

One of the men detained, identified as Jonathan Idema, was known to the military and had apparently been under surveillance. He was the subject of a media advisory by the U.S. military press center several days ago, which warned that he was an impostor pretending to be a member of the U.S. military.

The mine hit a pickup truck on a road in Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, 100 kilometers, or 60 miles, east of Kabul, said Faizan ul-Haq, a provincial government spokesman.

A UN spokesman said the driver was seriously hurt and had been flown to Kabul for treatment. Afghans say 4 posed as Special Forces unit
more
http://www.iht.com/articles/528562.html

At the heart of their investigation is a former American special forces soldier, Jona than Keith "Jack" Idema, who is alleged to have run the private jail and was being questioned on Thursday night.

Idema, who is said to be always heavily armed, is far from the only ex-military man to be making a living in Kabul, which has an atmosphere redolent of The Third Man, Graham Greene's thriller about postwar Vienna.

Many of the private security guards attached to embassies and commercial companies have military histories, either real or imagined. Typically, they can be seen in dark glasses and camouflage gear, sub-machine guns slung over their shoulders as they ride through the city. They are often to be seen at the Mustafa hotel, one of the few bars that sell alcohol to ex-pats, who gather for the hotel's popular roof-top barbecues.

Idema, it emerged on Thursday, has a colourful past. A volatile former Green Beret with a criminal record in the US, he describes himself as a security adviser. He also claims that he is the person on whom George Clooney's part in the Hollywood film The Peacemaker was based.

While there has been no official explanation of what sort of operation he was running, there are large rewards on offer for the capture of al-Qaeda members in Afghanistan, which has led to a boom in the private security business.

The biggest reward of all -- $25-million -- remains on offer for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Laden.
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=118432

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040524fa_fact

The people assigned to the program worked by the book, the former intelligence official told me. They created code words, and recruited, after careful screening, highly trained commandos and operatives from America’s élite forces—Navy seals, the Army’s Delta Force, and the C.I.A.’s paramilitary experts. They also asked some basic questions: “Do the people working the problem have to use aliases? Yes. Do we need dead drops for the mail? Yes. No traceability and no budget. And some special-access programs are never fully briefed to Congress.”

In theory, the operation enabled the Bush Administration to respond immediately to time-sensitive intelligence: commandos crossed borders without visas and could interrogate terrorism suspects deemed too important for transfer to the military’s facilities at Guantánamo, Cuba. They carried out instant interrogations—using force if necessary—at secret C.I.A. detention centers scattered around the world. The intelligence would be relayed to the sap command center in the Pentagon in real time, and sifted for those pieces of information critical to the “white,” or overt, world.


Ex-local man, 2 others allegedly imprisoned Afghans

Idema and his colleagues rented the house near Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, and told neighbors that they were operating an export company that traded Afghan rugs, the Afghan official said.

The Americans were mainly detaining men with long beards on the outskirts of Kabul who they suspected -- based on their appearance -- to be members of al Qaeda, the interior ministry official said.

The official said the story would "definitely have a negative impact on the image of Americans" among Afghans
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/07/09/afghan .... /

Idema, the former owner of a Hyde Park ammunition and gun shop who claims he is a former Green Beret, has been in Afghanistan for about three months, fighting terrorism and serving as an adviser to Afghan forces through ''extensive contacts with the (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai government,'' said his lawyer, John Tiffany of Bloomfield, N.J.

''He's been tracking terrorists,'' said Tiffany, who said he was retained by Idema after ''wanted'' signs with his name and photo began appearing in the Afghan capital.
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/today/localnews/stor ...


Ex-soldiers blur Afghan security
By Andrew North
BBC correspondent in Kabul


It's becoming harder to spot genuine troops like this American

...........

Often they are private contractors.

Phil Halton of Anso, an organisation that provides security advice to aid agencies, admits there may be a "perception" problem now.

He points out that it is well known that the US government uses many private contractors.

For instance, a private US security firm is guarding President Hamid Karzai.

Contractors have also been used by the CIA to interrogate detainees in Afghanistan.

That makes it harder for the US authorities to convince people that they are not involved with people like Jonathan Idema.


The Kabul house where Idema and two other Americans were held

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3881317.stm


Bogus Agents Said to Be Antiterrorist Vigilantes

By DAVID ROHDE
Published: July 9, 2004

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 8 - Four men arrested for falsely posing as American government officials and illegally detaining Afghans were conducting their own self-styled antiterrorism campaign, Afghan and American officials said Thursday.

The four men, three of them Americans, illegally held eight Afghans for 12 days in the basement of a house where they had set up a fake export company, the officials said.


"Three foreigners made up their own group and pretended they were against those who conduct terrorist operations," Ali Ahmed Jalali, Afghanistan's interior minister, said Thursday at a news conference. "They were actually outlaws."

Three of the Afghans who were detained were brothers who had past ties to the political party of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a pro-Taliban commander, but officials said none of them were involved in terrorism and were, in fact, now employees of Afghanistan's new government. One works for the Afghan Supreme Court and another for the Ministry of Education, officials said.

more
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/international/asia/09 ...


more here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph ...


Afghans arrest fake US contractors

Eight Afghans were released from the illegal group's hideout.

Thursday 08 July 2004, 12:52 Makka Time, 9:52 GMT

Three men claiming to be US nationals have been arrested in Kabul for allegedly waging their own private war in Afghanistan.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DBD17E60-C85F-44 ...


Fake Mercenaries?


thebigidea

Coppery green, isn't it.

Edited on Fri Jul-09-04 12:18 AM by thebigidea
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040524fa_fact

The people assigned to the program worked by the book, the former intelligence official told me. They created code words, and recruited, after careful screening, highly trained commandos and operatives from America’s élite forces—Navy seals, the Army’s Delta Force, and the C.I.A.’s paramilitary experts. They also asked some basic questions: “Do the people working the problem have to use aliases? Yes. Do we need dead drops for the mail? Yes. No traceability and no budget. And some special-access programs are never fully briefed to Congress.”

In theory, the operation enabled the Bush Administration to respond immediately to time-sensitive intelligence: commandos crossed borders without visas and could interrogate terrorism suspects deemed too important for transfer to the military’s facilities at Guantánamo, Cuba. They carried out instant interrogations—using force if necessary—at secret C.I.A. detention centers scattered around the world. The intelligence would be relayed to the sap command center in the Pentagon in real time, and sifted for those pieces of information critical to the “white,” or overt, world.


could this be his partner?
Vice Adm. Brent Bennett maybe not the same guy?

In 1978, Welch was at a point where he wasn't sure whether or not to stay Navy, when he reported to the commander of naval air forces for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Va. With a year to go, "I was riding the fence." He worked with now retired Vice Adm. Brent Bennett when he was selected as a flag writer.

He credits his decision to stay Navy to Adm. "Gus"Kinnear, with whom he also worked. "If not for his confidence in my abilities, I would have gotten out. It was a milestone for me."
http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/trident/7_20/local_news /...

KABUL: An explosion at an illegal bomb factory in the Afghan capital wounded at least six people, a spokesman for the NATO-led peacekeeping force said on Sunday. The blast in Kabul’s Afshah neighbourhood on Saturday hurt three children, two women and a man, Commander Chris Henderson told reporters. He said police had arrested three men. “It is believed that the explosion occurred as the three men were assembling bombs.” Police said they were holding the father of the family, who had brought the bomb-making material from neighbouring Pakistan. “It is actually fortunate that the people assembling these explosive devices met with misadventure as their intended actions could easily have killed many innocent people,” Henderson said. The incident underscored the continuing risk of violence in Kabul despite patrols by more than 6,000 foreign peacekeepers two and a half years after US-led forces overthrew the Taliban. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for some attacks, but officials also suspect its al Qaeda allies and forces of an allied renegade warlord, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. reuters
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-7 ...
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seemslikeadream Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 10:43 AM
Response to Reply #46
47. and this
DEBKAfile reporting a truck bomb at US Embassy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=785378
Rivals Gang Up on Karzai, Seek a Champion
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=783719
'Petroleum lures dogs of war to Africa'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775315
US vigilante says saved Bagram from bomb attack
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=770521
Man accused of running private Afghan jail had U.S. letter
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=769011
UN rights expert berates US on Afghan detentions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=768135
Man arrested by FBI : "I was close to capturing bin Laden"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=767678
Round two for Kabul's trial of year
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=753506
Americans on trial in Afghanistan get FBI files
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=755211
U.S. urged to protect Idema's rights
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=752727
Tables turn on US conman waging his own weird war on terror
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=745167
Idema role: rogue or U.S. agent?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=737677
9-11 attacks spurred Idema to action
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=737670
Crusader confronts a world of trouble
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=735851
Wild-card charged in Afghan imprisonments has murky history with media, go
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=732951
Family seeking info on Fortuna man arrested in Afghanistan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=726667
Rumsfeld knew all about me, says American 'jailer' held in Kabul
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=701568
Outsourcing War Crimes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=707269
The Case of Keith Idema
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=703839
Dispatch From Afghanistan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=704670
Americans accused of torturing Afghans in private jail go on trial
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=699570
Pride, prison shadow Idema
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=677019
'Freelance' US fighter identified
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=673846
Americans Arrested in Kabul Abused Prisoners in Private Jail, Officials Say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=673337
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Toots Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 08:47 AM
Response to Reply #2
45. Iraqi unemployment figures are over fifty percent
I guess the oldest known civilization on earth just doesn't know how to build anything....:shrug:
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GreenZoneLT Donating Member (805 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:45 AM
Response to Original message
3. Unfortunately, not enough Iraqis
That's partly because of the extra security implications of hiring Iraqis, and partly because it's easier/cheaper for the hooked-up multinationals to hire Koreans, Filipinos, Peruvians, etc. It's hard to run a job fair when it's almost certainly going to be a car bomb target.

The ratio of security guards to workers is just ridiculous, but unfortunately necessary.

I just did my part for Iraq by saving our translator contract from the clutches of a multi-national, who was going to either give our Iraqis a big pay cut, or replace them with less-skilled foreigners. The talk among the brass is to use fewer multinational contractors, and more Iraqis, but it's hard to see any results of that yet.

I dunno what to think about all the KBR stuff. On the one hand, the food and housing is a good deal better than the old-style military chow halls and barracks. On the other, I don't believe the hype that it's cheaper (supposedly, the cost of training military people and paying for their retirement is higher than the bloated up-front cost of the contractor-provided chow).

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TankLV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 11:07 AM
Response to Reply #3
48. NOT cheaper - by a long shot.
The hired THUGS/MERCS are paid a MINIMUM of a hundred thou per man - most are double that - due to the "hazzard".

In the meantime, the REPUKE WAR CRIMINALS pay OUR soldiers SHIT.

The REPUKE WAR CRIMINALS hired these normal society rejects so they could limit the number of actual fighting troops, and the subsequent backlash that the public would justifiably bring to this ILLEGAL WAR OF CHOICE BASED ON LIES.
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leesa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:52 AM
Response to Original message
5. Have they managed to build anything yet?
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RUMMYisFROSTED Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #5
7. A nice portfolio.
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GreenZoneLT Donating Member (805 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 01:03 AM
Response to Reply #5
42. Yes, actually, quite a lot
Unfortunately, the security costs have vastly limited what they could do. And the bad guys blow up things as fast as they get built.

http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/factsheets/docs/November_2006.pdf

More than 2,600 projects completed at a cost of more than $2.8 billion, 690 currently under way. Pretty sad, though, compared to the $350 billion we've spent overall in Iraq.

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Nihil Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 07:48 AM
Response to Reply #42
43. They're still way negative of the amount standing before the invasion
> And the bad guys blow up things as fast as they get built.

That's a bit harsh. I'm sure the USAF aren't all bad ...
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Tight_rope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #5
51. LMBAO...That's my exact question...Where the fuck is the progress?
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yurbud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 09:27 AM
Response to Original message
8. This is why I say cut off funding for CONTRACTORS before troops--turn over support functions back to
military, and give rebuilding money directly to Iraqis.
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ComerPerro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 05:13 PM
Response to Reply #8
31. no kidding. And if these private contractors so deeply want to help
they can do so by joining the military.
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yurbud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 01:45 PM
Response to Reply #31
50. or donating their services
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ComerPerro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 03:36 PM
Response to Reply #50
52. exactly. I find it reprehensible to call these people anything other than mercs
since they are in this for profit only
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Marie26 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 09:37 AM
Response to Original message
9. A corporate crony army. nt
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shanti Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 11:38 AM
Response to Original message
15. 100,000 pigs at the trough
oink.
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saigon68 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #15
18. Hogs swilling at the Public Trough
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TankLV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 11:08 AM
Response to Reply #18
49. WAR CRIMINALS at the trough...
Sadistic butchers and torturers...
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Voltaire99 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-08-06 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #18
55. Damn right
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yurbud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 12:25 PM
Response to Original message
16. VIDEO: reminder what our tax dollars buying from these assholes (shooting at random civilian cars)
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yurbud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 12:27 PM
Response to Original message
17. Digg it too, so everybody else sees it (LINK)
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npincus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 02:15 PM
Response to Original message
19. Your tax dollars at work
:grr:
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YOY Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 02:17 PM
Response to Original message
20. "War is a racket" indeed
Thank you Smedley Butler...
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goforit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 02:22 PM
Response to Original message
21. Hmmm... And how many are killing our volyunteer soldiers?
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civildisoBDence Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 02:33 PM
Response to Original message
22. To what degree are we using contractors in order to insulate the military
from the consequences of clearly illegal actions?

Newsprism
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Botany Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 03:13 PM
Response to Original message
23. Feeding on that neo con tit
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Zhade Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 03:38 PM
Response to Original message
24. That's one war profiteer for every six Iraqis murdered in this illegal war.
Sobering.

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madrchsod Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:03 PM
Response to Original message
25. these people are coming back to america
do you think they are going to retire and get regular 8 hour jobs?
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LuckyLib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:17 PM
Response to Original message
28. Contractors. With emphasis on the CON.
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bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
29. NO "US Civilian" should EVER be allowed in a "War Zone"!!!
This was a Hard & Fast Rule in previous wars simply because "civilians" are NOT accountable to Military Justice. They are NOT accountable to us, the American Citizens. They have sworn NO OATH to defend and protect the Constitution. Civilians ("contractors") are ONLY accountable to their corporate bosses who meet behind closed doors and calculate the PROFITS. "Contractors" have the dubious luxury of Killing in OUR Name, but are NOT accountable to us.

During WW2, Charles Lindberg "visited" the US Marines in the Pacific, offering advice on how to get better fuel consumption from their fighters. He even accompanied them on a "raid" and may have shot at the Japanese. There was OUTRAGE in the US that a "civilian" had been in a war zone.


Some here may recall when Donald Rumsfeld testified before the Abu-Gharib Senate Committee.
He was asked (and reasked) by a senator (Kennedy?), "What was the "Chain of Command" at Abu-Gharib?"
Rummy replied that he DIDN'T KNOW!!!!! That the "Chain of Command was "MURKY because of "Contractors"!!!!!!!! Naturally, there was no outrage in the Media or by our Democrats.
The Secretary of Defense should have been fired on the spot, and thrown "in the brig" for ALLOWING a "murky" Chain of Command.

ANYBODY who has served in the Military, or been raised in a military family KNOWS that the "Chain of Command" is INVIOLATE! Where does a "Contractor" fit in the Chain of Command (Chain of Accountability)?
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PuppyBismark Donating Member (200 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 04:37 PM
Response to Original message
30. Everyone one of them getting three times the pay our soldiers are getting.
This is the way we are saving money by keeping the military smaller????????

:sarcasm:
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classysassy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
32. Larceny Inc
There is no money to be made in peacetime.Start an illegal war,shed some blood, the American poor and Iraqi civilians, and Bushco and his bloody friend will make a killing.Don't forget to use the word terrorist often enough to dupe the American public,the corporate crooks will make billions while while Americans and Iraqi die.
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whistle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 05:54 PM
Response to Original message
33. Contractors hired by the U.S. to loot, plunder and pillage while our
...U.S. President lies to the American people.
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greiner3 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 05:56 PM
Response to Original message
34. It just hit me why some close elections were won by Dems;
There's a hell of a lot of repugs in Iraq these days.
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ingac70 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 08:45 PM
Response to Original message
36. The Outsourced War.....
KBR employees are serving up slop in the mess for 80k a year. Once upon a time cook was an MOS.

Same goes for mechanics, armorers, ect.

These contractors are support for the military... at about 10 times the cost.
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oasis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 09:51 PM
Response to Original message
37. Contractors or mercenaries? "If it walks like a duck". (n/t)
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Vidar Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-05-06 11:09 PM
Response to Original message
38. Mercenaries & profiteers.
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sattahipdeep Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 08:04 AM
Response to Reply #38
44. Bremer's exit... He snuck out of the country.
Edited on Wed Dec-06-06 08:20 AM by sattahipdeep
I remember talking to one former special forces soldier who said basically:

"He left the city like a rat. I'm glad he did, because that's what he was."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/yeariniraq/interviews/ricks.html

Allbaugh and Bremer

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GI15Ak01.html

http://alternet.org/images/managed/Story+Image_thumb_091205_story.jpg






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Hekate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
39. Hundreds of thousands of jobs that IRAQIs would rather be doing to rebuild their country
What. A. Crock.

Smash the country to pieces. Let the trained army scatter to the winds. Allow the infrastructure to be looted. Lay off or fail to pay every worker in the infrastructure.

And then pay Halliburton Brown and Root billions upon billions of our tax dollars to FUBAR the situation while our soldiers get maimed and killed.

:argh:

Hekate

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wageslave71 Donating Member (92 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-06-06 10:17 PM
Response to Original message
53. I came across one of these whores at a party
It was about two and a half years ago. I overheard him saying he was going to Iraq. I thought he was a reservist or Nat'l Guard. He went on to say he was ex-Special Forces and had been contacted by Black Water. He was going to be paid $60,000 for 6 months and he made it clear that it was all about the money. I wondered how it must feel to be a real soldier in a war zone knowing these guys are making that kind of money.
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Voltaire99 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-08-06 09:09 AM
Response to Original message
54. This is what a right wing welfare program looks like.
And yet another reason why the new congress should pull the plug on this enormous shameful boondoggle.

It's simple. Get out of countries where you don't belong. And take your profiteers with you.
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