As this develops, it is important to track the path of this thing.  You can follow the NOAA or you can do that, and read what the weather nerds/bloggers have to say.  Getting the basic information is one thing, but getting the correct analysis of this information is a little tougher.  It is a prediction game and to have a consensus amongst the experts is far better that just paying attention to one source.  That’s of course if you have the time.  So here are a few of the blogs out there that cover weather events like this.  

     One interesting thing about all of this is the oil threat. If these hurricanes screw with oil and gas production, and Russia cuts off the oil and gas in their neck of the woods because of events in Georgia, we could see a huge uptick in Gas prices.  I have been hearing 5 dollars plus here in the US, just with the hurricane stuff.  I am sure in Europe it will be even higher.  

     Also, if any of you guys are deploying as a security specialist for this hurricane, feel free to contact me about any questions for this kind of work.  I worked for FEMA back in 2004 for that hurricane season and I also worked as a security specialist in 2005 during hurricane Katrina. One bit of advice is to wash your hands before eating anything and stay out of the water as much as possible.  Bring several pairs of waders, because chemicals in the water could easily destroy your waders. Bring filtration stuff and do not trust the tap water–drink bottled water only!  Cabelas sell waders for about sixty dollars.  And please be cool with the local residents.  The last thing we need are guys doing stupid things in NOLA and giving security contractors a bad name.  When I was there, it was one of my main priorities to connect with the locals and let them know why we were there and what we were all about. 

Team Member

The responsibility of the ERT Member is to provide security guarding and support services at the assigned facility. The primary responsibility of the ERT Member will be to secure the facility perimeter, but may include other duties and responsibilities.

In order to provide this service, the ERT Member must maintain a state of readiness in anticipation of being deployed on short notice. The ERT Member will ensure that updated contact information is provided to the GSA Corporate Office at all times. The ERT Member will ensure that he/she is able to respond and deploy on short notice by having equipment and personal effects ready at all times.

Team Leader

The responsibility of the ERT Team Leader is to liaise with the GSA ERT Duty Officer, the GSA Client Point of Contact and to oversee the deployment and activities of the ERT Team Members assigned to him/her. The ERT will primarily be deployed to provide additional support in securing the perimeter of the assigned facility, but may include other duties and responsibilities.

In order to provide this service, the ERT Team Leader must maintain a state of readiness in anticipation of being deployed on short notice. The ERT Team Leader will ensure that updated contact information is provided to the GSA Corporate Office at all times. The ERT Team Leader will ensure that he/she is able to respond and deploy on short notice by having equipment and personal effects ready at all times.

Apply Here

August 28, 2008

HURRICANE RESPONSE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AS OF 1200hrs

If you are planning on deploying to the area, please send an e-mail to info@retiredlawman.com or call either 225-302-3198 or 225-288-6115 so that we can plan for your arrival.

The In-Processing Center will not open until 1200hrs (NOON) on Friday August 28th, 2008. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (3x Copies of Each):  

- Firearms certification w/i the last year

- Current POST Training w/i the last year

- Any training certificates

- DD-214 (if available)

- Social Security Card

- Unexpired Driver’s License or passport

- Immunizations Records (if available)

UNIFORMS & FIREARMS

- 5.11 or Khaki’s

- You may bring your duty belt, we will be issuing them if needed

- Weapons will be issued as necessary, personal firearms are not allowed

- Firearms training will be provided, if necessary, as part of in-processing

PAY RATE IS $300 per 12 Hour day. 

The In-Processing staging area is at the reception hall located at Frank’s Restaurant, 17425 Airline Hwy, Prairieville, LA.  70769.  Directions to this location from Baton Rouge, LA are southbound hwy 61Airline Hwy from Interstate 12, approximately 10 miles.  The restaurant and reception hall are located on the west side of Hwy 61.

Apply Here 

Security for Hurricane Gustav

Blackwater is compiling a list of qualified security personnel for possible deployment into areas affected by Hurricane Gustav.Applicants must meet all items listed under the respective Officer posting and be US citizens. Contract length is TBD.

Law Enforcement Officers (all criteria must apply)

1. 1. Current sworn [may be full time, part time or reserve]

1. 2. With arrest powers

1. 3. Armed status (must indicate Armed and/or Semi Auto. Revolver only not accepted)

2. expiration must be greater than 60 days out

1. 4. Departmental credentials (not just a badge)

Armed Security Officers (all criteria must apply)

Only from the following states: OR, WA, CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, IL, OK

1. 1. Current/active/licensed/registered armed security officer

1. 2. All training verification [unarmed and armed certificates of completion]

1. 3. Current state issued face card indicting armed status [expiration must be greater than 60 days out]

Applicants will be required to provide an electronic copy of the above required credentials/documents, recent photo withinthe last six months with response to this AD prior to consideration for deployment.

Personnel who meet the above qualifications and are interested, please send resumes and files to: 25505@blackwaterusa2.hrmdirect.com

This is not good.  This is heading straight for New Orleans and it is supposed to be Category 3. No word yet from companies like Blackwater, but I am sure the planners are ramping up.  I haven’t seen anything on the forums either.  -Head Jundi

No, this is not ITT or Dyncorp.  I found this through Gulf Talent online, and it is more management than anything.  -Head Jundi 

 ——————————————————————

 Security Officer

Aspire Zone

Qatar

Ref: GP993-18

The Role

Supervision and mentoring of a uniformed security guard force, and to provide a link between the that ?guard force and the venue management

-Provide a direct “link” between individual venue management teams and the delivery of the AZ security ?service, providing advice and assistance to venue staff in respect of routine operational security issues.?

-Monitor and effectively manage the daily operations of the contract security team to ensure high standards of ?service are being delivered, in accordance with published Assignment Instructions

-Ensure all reports & returns from the previous shift are passed through line management, taking any appropriate ?action which may be required.?

-Regularly review the published security Assignment Instructions within individual venues, highlighting any ?deficiencies or potential for improvement directly to the Head of Security.?

Requirements

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

(list the minimum qualification required)

EXPERIENCE

(list the minimum years and type of experience required)

10 + in security guard force operations or military service at officer or senior NCO rank

Functional

-Security or military background with at least ??10 years experience ?

-Ability to liaise with various agencies and ?local police in relation to security

-Good command of written and spoken ?English

About the Company

About the Company

A PLACE FOR ALL TO ENJOY

Aspire Zone, the majestic symbol of Qatar’s pride and glory is spread over 250 – hectares. It is designed to attract and accommodate local and international users through providing access to facilities, consumer products, attractions and services to accommodate a variety of user groups. It is truly a destination for all user groups.

Apply At Gulf Talent

Thanks to Scott for hooking me up with this article.  -Head Jundi 

—————————————————————— 

CIA Curtails Contract

With U.S. Security Firm in Iraq

By SIOBHAN GORMAN and AUGUST COLE

August 28, 2008; Page B1

MVM Inc., one of the biggest security contractors used by U.S. intelligence agencies, has lost the bulk of a Central Intelligence Agency contract in Iraq after failing to provide enough armed guards, according to company emails and contractors familiar with the decision.

The loss of the CIA contract, which was potentially worth more than $1 billion over five years, is a big blow to closely held MVM, based in Vienna, Va. Overseas work for U.S. intelligence agencies represents a third of the company’s $200 million in annual revenue and is believed to be one of the fastest-growing areas of the contracting business.

Intelligence officers needing protective services are likely to remain in Iraq even after U.S. troops leave, so demand for such services will continue or possibly increase. The CIA’s largest foreign station is in Baghdad, with hundreds of officers estimated to be based there. The loss of the contract will likely hurt MVM’s chances of winning further work with the agency.

“We are disappointed to announce that the client has not chosen MVM Inc.,” Rob Whitfield, who manages MVM’s CIA work, wrote to the company’s pool of guards on Aug. 22, according to a copy of the email viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

MVM declined to respond to specific questions. In a written statement, the company said it has an “outstanding performance history” working in dangerous regions and it has never failed to “secure any personnel or facilities that we have been contracted to protect.” The company also said that it is “fully compliant with all of the contractual obligations of our diverse client base.”

A CIA spokesman said the agency doesn’t comment on contracting decisions.

MVM’s performance on the CIA contract, known as Panther, was the subject of a Page One article in the Journal last month. The article also discussed alleged problems with a related National Security Agency contract, dubbed Scorpion, which provides guards for NSA employees overseas.

The article detailed allegations from a former MVM guard who said his teammates fabricated an after-action report about a November 2004 shooting incident to cover up their errors. Other contractors detailed problems in areas such as staffing and equipment.

In the article, MVM Chief Executive Dario Marquez said the government had been satisfied with MVM’s work. “We have a great working relationship with both these clients,” he said in an interview for the article, referring to the CIA and NSA.

The NSA has begun probing the allegations, according to a former MVM manager familiar with the inquiry, including sending an official to Baghdad last month to interview contractors employed by MVM at the time. An NSA spokesman said the agency had no information to provide on the inquiry or the contract.

The CIA’s Panther contract with MVM was to protect CIA officers in Iraq. MVM will retain a small portion responsible for guarding CIA facilities and will continue to provide a handful of mobile guards at two sites whose locations are classified, but which aren’t in Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan, according to Mr. Whitfield’s email.

The CIA awarded the more profitable work-protecting officers traveling around the country to a Nevada company, SOC Inc. SOC has been providing logistical support such as food services and electricity to the CIA in war zones.

SOC didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. relies on contractors throughout the intelligence community, though few are sent overseas. According to a recent report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, about 5% of the estimated 37,000 contracted intelligence personnel work overseas.

Overall, about 70% of the total intelligence budget, including electricity, is outsourced; some 27% of the total amount is spent on people doing core work, such as those with specific skills such as languages.

According to several former MVM managers, MVM was regularly 10 to 15 guards short of the 100 or so it promised. The lack of guards required the agency to postpone missions, one former manager said.

Guards working on Panther were frustrated with MVM’s management and pay and many decided to sign on with SOC, which promised $715 a day, compared with $630 MVM offered, according to a contractor familiar with the situation.

MVM’s Mr. Whitfield said in the email that the company “would have provided the most positive working environment for the independent contractors in the field.”

MVM plans to pursue “other opportunities” with CIA, Mr. Whitfield added.

Wall Street Journal article

 This is interesting.  If the WFP is talking about using security contractors, then you know they are serious.  These groups are usually the type that shun security contractors in Africa, but now it seems like attitudes are starting to change.  And especially when there have been 7 hijackings of ships this month alone off the coast of Somalia.  

So now the issue is money.  Will the WFP be able to secure the funds necessary to do something like this?  I don’t know, but it sure is interesting that Risk Consultants International Ltd just bought a couple of ships for some kind of naval activity.  -Head Jundi

——————————————————————  

Somalis shot as they hand out aid

Gunmen in Somalia have shot dead three elders distributing aid in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu.

The killings are being linked to a wave of apparently targeted attacks on humanitarian workers.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has warned that it may have to use private security companies to protect its vessels from pirate attacks in Somalia.

The agency has been sending food ships without protective escorts after a Dutch naval mission ended last month.

The WFP country director for Somalia, Peter Goossens, told the BBC the threat of piracy was putting at risk vital food aid for millions of people in Somalia.

“The problem is twofold - the ships themselves can get hijacked and we lose the food… my biggest problem is that I can’t find enough vessels that are willing to do this work for me unless they get an escort,” he said.

Against all the odds we’re running a programme - the biggest we’ve ever had in Somalia - but if I can’t continue doing it, I’m really afraid that we might very well see Ethiopia, like the early ’90s pictures

Peter Goossens

WFP country director for Somalia

Mr Goossens warned that the country was at a dire crossroads, with the risk of a famine similar to the early 1990s, when hundreds of thousands died.

He added that the UN had spoken to various naval powers who might provide military escorts to aid WFP ships, including Britain, Sweden and India.

He said he was grateful for their expressions of interest, but now wanted action.

Pirates operate off the coast of Somalia using high speed vessels and automatic weapons.

BBC World Affairs correspondent Mark Doyle says that shipping companies regularly pay ransoms of hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their vessels released.

Masked men

The killings of three local leaders among the refugee community are the latest in a string of apparently targeted attacks on aid workers, which has caused a number of humanitarian agencies to consider pulling out of Somalia.

“About five masked men armed with pistols came to our camp, they ordered us to get into our make shift houses and then after a few minutes we heard shots, when we came out three of our men… were lying there,” a witness, Aden Norow, told the BBC.

“We do not know why our colleagues were targeted but we suspect it is because they were active in the recent protests against the killings of the aid workers - someone wants to silence us - we do not know who,” Abdow Dahir Mudey said.

Another elder was killed in a separate incident some 60km (37 miles) from the city.

It is not clear who exactly is behind Friday’s killings, but a BBC correspondent says many factions in Somalia’s chaotic war stand to benefit from the violence.

Meanwhile, at least 10 people were killed and 15 others wounded after fighting broke out on Thursday in southern Somalia, 100km west of Kismayo, in the Lower-Jubba region.

Somalia has experienced almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre’s regime in January 1991.

Successive droughts have left an estimated two and a half million in need of food aid. That figure could rise if the droughts and insecurity continue.

Story from BBC NEWS

——————————————————————

Risk Consultants International Ltd has bought six Hugin and Kaparen class patrol boats for “patrolling Africas coast”. The boats is of course now stripped of gun and sensors but should be a fairly nice platform to add stuff to.

Confirmation of Sale

Risk Consultants International Ltd website

    I think this is pretty significant.  We touched on this earlier here on Feral Jundi and the fallout of the recent events in Georgia will definitely impact war efforts elsewhere.  I could see Russia making things very difficult for the logistics in Afghanistan, and it would not be that hard to do at all.  They could either support the Taliban by proxy, or do what they are doing now and force supply trains to go through more dangerous places by axing current agreements.    

     With that said, I believe we will see this war zone evolve into what Iraq was a couple years ago.  And that is IEDs and EFPs galore with constant attacks on supply trains coming into and out of Afghanistan.  It is the smartest thing the enemy could do at this point, and I think we are starting to witness the beginning of this.  The ISAF and NATO deaths keep going up, and the Taliban continue to increase their attacks and lethality.   We’ll see how it goes and I will be praying to the gods of convoy protection for the guys that have to run those roads.  -Head Jundi   

—————————————————————— 

Russian official warns NATO transit to Afghanistan at risk

by Staff Writers

London (AFP) Aug 26, 2008

NATO should not be able to use Russian routes to transit supplies and equipment to Afghanistan because Russia has suspended military co-operation with the Western alliance, the country’s ambassador to Kabul argued in an interview published Tuesday.

Speaking to The Times from the Afghan capital, Zamir Kabulov said increased tensions between Russia and West over the former’s recent assault on Georgia could lead Moscow to review other such agreements.

Asked by the newspaper if Russia’s suspension of military co-operation with NATO invalidated an April agreement on the transit of supplies to Afghanistan, Kabulov said: “Of course. Why not? If there is a suspension of military cooperation, this is military cooperation.”

“No one with common sense can expect to co-operate with Russia in one part of the world while acting against it in another,” he added.

He insisted, however, that Russia was not seeking to derail NATO efforts in Afghanistan, telling The Times: “It’s not in Russia’s interests for NATO to be defeated and leave behind all these problems.”

“We’d prefer NATO to complete its job and then leave this unnatural geography.

“But at the same time, we’ll be the last ones to moan about NATO’s departure.”

NATO leads the 53,000-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is tasked with spreading the influence of Kabul’s weak central government across the country.

But five years after taking charge, ISAF is struggling to defeat a tenacious Taliban-led insurgency, in part commanded from across the porous mountain border with Pakistan.

Link Here

     Oh my, this gets more interesting every day. Of course Georgia and the West does not recognize this latest move.  It sounds like Cheney is inbound to Georgia, along with a few warships.  And I guess the Russians are implying that they will ‘militarily’ deal with the missiles in Poland?  Wow, this thing is really ramping up, and we will see who backs down first.  -Head Jundi 

 ——————————————————————

 Russia recognises Georgian rebels

Russian president speaks to BBC

President Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Russia formally recognises the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Mr Medvedev told the BBC Russia had tried to preserve Georgian unity for 17 years, but that the situation had changed after this month’s violence.

He said Moscow now felt obliged to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as other countries had done with Kosovo.

Georgia said Russia was seeking to “change Europe’s borders by force”.

In a televised address on Monday evening, President Mikhail Saakashvili said the declaration was completely illegal and vowed to begin a “peaceful struggle” to restore Georgia’s territorial integrity.