http://www.wrongedbyblackwater.com

there is a lot to read. Basically, while returning to the base in Kabul, Afganasthan, his unamored vehicle he and another lt.col were traveling in was hit several times. He was able to speed away. While waiting in traffic to get in the base, the vehicle pulled up behind him, blocking him in traffic. The occupant of that vehicle got out, proceeded to the passenger side of their vehicle and began to rant. The Lt. Col in the passenger seat drew his weapon.

My neighbor, in support, got out of the vehicle, drew his weapon (m4 rifle) and began to take control of the situation. Keep in mind, the offender was wearing a bulletproof vest with ammo clips attached. Neighbor was unsuccessful in getting the offender to the ground. Neighbor removed the safety on his rifle, the offender began to cooperated.

The offender turns out to be an employee of Blackwater, a private "security" firm operating in middle east contracted by Homeland Security.

Upon returning to base, neighbor and other lt. col. tell MPs and commanding officer. A few days later, they are being accused and will be court martialed.

Please read the links - it will be on local news and an AP writer will pick up the story. Also, follow up on the Blackwater company. It is pretty interesting the power they have.

 

Private "security" working military? Sounds like mercenary's to me. Very scary.

 

They got them working in New Orleans also after Katrina. I think they are still there IIRC. And they are "security contractors" not mercs.

 

They are mercs. We have trained a few guys that went to blackwater. The concept was great, but they are like any other company, they too have there bad apples.

When I make 50k a year, and they make 150k for 6 months. Looks like the below fits the bill.

A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict and "is motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a Party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party". When the term "mercenary" is used to refer to a soldier of a national, regular army, it usually considered to have pejorative connotations.

 

If that is what they sign up for, then more power to them. The problem I have is the employee of whoever having a case of road rage in a war zone against military personnel in a military vehicle, getting treated as if he was a hostile, turning it around to say he was violated, the military lawyers not doing their job, and a 22 yr veteran that volunteered to rejoin the forces, volunteering to go to Afghanistan, feeling the threat of his life, being court marshalled for following the Rules of Engagement.

 

I guess here's my beef: if this blackwater guy was in such fear, and was having his rights violated, then why was he the one approaching them in such a way as they felt the need to 1) draw weapons, 2) exit the vehicle, 3) go hot...

The good news is that court martial doesn't mean guilty -- it's just the trial part.

 

The site has been updated and now shows two links - Air Force Times and a NC paper.