’05 Use of Gas by Blackwater Leaves Questions

Source: NY Times

The helicopter was hovering over a Baghdad checkpoint into the Green Zone, one typically crowded with cars, Iraqi civilians and United States military personnel.

Suddenly, on that May day in 2005, the copter dropped CS gas, a riot-control substance the American military in Iraq can use only under the strictest conditions and with the approval of top military commanders. An armored vehicle on the ground also released the gas, temporarily blinding drivers, passers-by and at least 10 American soldiers operating the checkpoint.

“This was decidedly uncool and very, very dangerous,” Capt. Kincy Clark of the Army, the senior officer at the scene, wrote later that day. “It’s not a good thing to cause soldiers who are standing guard against car bombs, snipers and suicide bombers to cover their faces, choke, cough and otherwise degrade our awareness.”

Both the helicopter and the vehicle involved in the incident at the Assassins’ Gate checkpoint were not from the United States military, but were part of a convoy operated by Blackwater Worldwide, the private security contractor that is under scrutiny for its role in a series of violent episodes in Iraq, including a September shooting in downtown Baghdad that left 17 Iraqis dead.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/world/middleeast/10blackwater.html?hp

That's awesome.

The contract didn't specifically say we couldn't torch houses, loot businesses, rape, engage in bribery, coercion, extortion...

The soldier are of the mindset of let's get in and get our mission done. The Mercs are of the mindset of let's go shoot some shit up and kill some people.

Very dangerous for all those either in the path of or forced to be relying on Blackwater mercs to watch your back.

That's one way to look at it, I suppose. :eyes:

And not just the less-than-salutary effect it might have on the soldiers, Mr. Clark; I'll bet some of the civilians might have felt inconvenienced, if only a weensy bit. Oh well, it was just one little incident in a war full of atrocities; I hope nobody was punished or (horrors) any contract payments to Blackwater were held up because of this.

I wonder if the BW guys were laughing as they flew away.

like, the children in South Africa need maps...you know?

America's Finest indeed!

for when the rioters get out of control here close to or after the election. Would he gas his own people ala Hussein? He won't ever let go of the precious power it's taken decades to perfect.

It was really bad, penetrating our clothing and burning the skin. Guys were choking and panic ensued. Just what you need the middle of a night defensive position in Vietnam.
Blackwater commits crimes and the GIs take the blame for one sixth the pay.
There's no room for a private army in the United States. Hitler had one called the Brown Shirts, and we know how that worked out.
It's time for our military to seize all Blackwater and other mercenary assets and put them out of business for good, with extreme prejudice if necessary.
With all the money Bush and Cheney looted from our treasury, they can take them to Dubai or Paraguay or whatever other foreign land these criminals choose to soil (they certainly can't walk the streets here any longer) and use them for private security.
That is if they don't nuke an American city as a pretext to declare martial law and make themselves dictators for life. If they believe rigging the next election is impossible, watch your ass.