Feral Jundi

Monday, November 30, 2009

Games: Serious Games Showcase and Challenge

Filed under: Games,PMC 2.0 — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 10:10 AM

    Interesting.  I have to tell you, I am seeing contractors and soldiers play the crap out of these first person shooter games.  Eventually you will see a company like Blackwater or similar develop a simulation game that will present PSD, Convoy, or Static Security scenarios in complex arenas.  I could envision a game that could be modified by the players or companies and different rules of engagement, SOFA’s, rules for the use of force, codes of conduct, UCMJ, SOP’s, etc. could be added. Even equipment and vehicles could be changed to match what the company uses.  The goal is to use this type of contractor gaming platform to condition the brains of the players with some of the scenarios they need to think about and negotiate in the real world of war zone contracting.

   If you notice some of the finalists of the contest over the last couple years, you will see some familiar company names that have been involved.  I especially perked up when I saw SAIC as one of the participants.  So is a PMC or PSC going to introduce a serious game in the near future, or will the only security contractor based games we will see are blood fest games like Army of Two?  Who knows, but just so companies know, there is a market for such a thing.  Especially if companies are looking at ways to minimize liability and maximize training of it’s contractors and employees. I could even see maritime security based games pop up, and all of this stuff could be used to train up folks and promote what companies are doing out there. –Matt

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Welcome to the official website of theFourth Annual I/ITSEC Serious Games Showcase & Challenge.

Serious Games for Serious TrainingThe goal of  Serious Games Showcase & Challenge  is to identify innovative game-based technologies and solutions that improve training across all segments for individuals, groups and systems.

Get Serious, Get Recognized!Submit your original serious games entry and have your work reviewed by a panel of military, academia and industry gaming experts.  Finalists will be showcased, and winners announced, at I/ITSEC 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

The Serious Games Showcase & Challenge12 Finalist Announced Click Here.

No limits!Whether you’re an individual, small business or big business – the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge is open to you!  Submissions can be targeted to training in any segment, including education, corporate, or military.

If game development is your past-time (indie game developer), your intended field, or your current business… If you can “mod” a game into a training solution, or program one from scratch…consider how you would use your skills to develop a serious game solution to enhance training.

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Maritime Security: Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Going to U.S.

Filed under: Maritime Security,Saudi Arabia,Somalia — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 8:05 AM

   This is not good.  This is the kind of nightmare scenario that can go a number of ways.  What if Al Qaeda or similar group, provides a better offer for the tanker than the owners of the boat or goods?  For all we know, these guys are working with Al Shabaab and have something planned.  You just don’t know, but now that the vessel is under the control of these pirates, they have all the power.  And the shipping company is at fault for not properly securing this vessel.

   I am also starting to get a headache from reading Roger Middleton’s crap assessments on shipping security.  Who is this guy, and why does the media continue to give him a voice on this matter?  For all we know, this shipping company followed the pathetic advice of this dork, and look what happened?  Where is the voice of reason here?

    Now tactically speaking, yeah, RPGs might ignite some kind of flammables in an attack, but the key to good security is to not even allow RPG armed pirates to get that close.  With the proper surveillance systems in place, and a locked on and properly staffed security detail, I can guarantee that a tanker like this will not be taken again.  Especially if this team is using weapons that will give them stand off distance.  The basic math here is use weapons that reach out farther and do more damage than what the pirates use.  Glock pistols will not do the trick.  Long guns or a Bushmaster Cannon are what I am talking about.  Or we can allow pirates who could be backed by terrorists, to take oil tankers or chemical tankers, and use them for whatever purpose.  And with the case of this tanker, the pirates have all the power right now, all because the ship did not have the means to protect itself.

   Another idea to protect a ship like this, is to use escort ships to draw fire away from the tanker. This would be expensive, but doable.  A pirate will fire on a tanker or chemical tanker regardless, all with the idea of trying to terrorize and control the vessel.  If you can draw the fire of the pirates away from the tanker, and take the battle zone away from that flammable vessel, then that is another idea.  I will say this again, and in stark contrast to what Roger has to say.  Pirates only understand one thing out on the high seas, and that is the rule of force. –Matt

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Somali pirates hijack oil tanker going to US

By MALKHADIR M. MUHUMED

Monday, November 30, 2009

NAIROBI, Kenya — Somali pirates seized a tanker carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States in the increasingly dangerous waters off East Africa, an official said Monday, an attack that could pose a huge environmental or security threat to the region.

The Greece-flagged Maran Centaurus was hijacked Sunday about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) off the coast of Somalia, said Cmdr. John Harbour, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force. Harbour said it originated from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and was destined for the United States. The ship has 28 crew members on board, he said.

The shipping intelligence company Lloyd’s List said the Maran Centaurus is a “very large crude carrier, with a capacity of over 300,000 tons.” Officials could not immediately say how many barrels of oil were on board, but its value would be in the millions of dollars.

Pirates have increased attacks on vessels off East Africa for the millions in ransom that can be had. Though pirates have successfully hijacked dozens of vessels the last several years, Sunday’s attack appears to be only the second ever on an oil tanker.

The hijacking of a tanker increases worries that the vessel could crash, be run aground or be involved in a firefight, said Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at London-based think tank Chatham House.

Pirates typically use guns and rocket-propelled grenades in their attacks, and some vessels now carry private security guards, but Middleton said oil tankers do not.

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Law Enforcement: Four Washington State Officers Killed in Ambush, Police Seek Ex-con Maurice Clemmons

Filed under: Law Enforcement,Tactical Thought Process,Washington — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 6:36 AM

   Rest in peace to the fallen. The thing I am hearing on all the forums, is the reinforcement of the idea of always face the entrance, when sitting in a public establishment. And if you can get all the way to the back, with a wall and an exit near you, that would be pretty cool too.  That way you have nothing to worry about behind you, and you have a means to maneuver on this guy through the exit door if need be. You want to be in a position were you can see everyone coming in, and you have options for movement, so you can be prepared for any kind of attack.  Sad deal, and especially during the holidays. –Matt

Edit: 12/1/2009- Sheriff’s spokesman says Seattle police have fatally shot suspect in officer shooting

Authorities believed the man sought in the slaying of four police officers had been aided by a network of friends and family, a police spokesman said Monday night.

Edit#2: 12/1/2009- From Blackfive:

Lakewood Police Independent Guild accepting donations

The Lakewood Police Independent Guild is accepting donations for the families of the slain officers.

Every penny will go to the families; if you want to donate to a specific officer you can write his or her name in the memo section.

Please make the check out to the LPIG Benevolent Fund and mail to: P.O. Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499. Visit their web site for more information: The Lakewood Police Guild.

 Forza sets up donation boxes

Forza has set up donation boxes inside their stores for the families of the fallen Lakewood officers.  The coffee company’s web site also is accepting donations. Go to their web site: Forza Coffee Company.

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Police Seek Ex-Con in Ambush on Wash. Officers

Sunday , November 29, 2009

A man with an extensive criminal past — including a lengthy prison sentence commuted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee nearly a decade ago — was being sought Sunday in a deadly ambush on four police officers who were gunned down inside a coffee shop.

Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters that Maurice Clemmons, 37, was believed to have been in the area around the time of the shooting, but declined to say what evidence might link him to the shooting.

Clemmons has an extensive violent criminal history from Arkansas, including aggravated robbery and theft, the sheriff’s office said. He also recently was arrested and charged in Washington state for assaulting a police officer, and second-degree rape of a child. Using a bail bondsman, he posted $150,000 and was released from jail last week.

Still unclear was why a man entered the coffee shop and gunned down Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; and Officers Ronald Owens, 37; Tina Griswold, 40; and Greg Richards 42.

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Sunday, November 29, 2009

Maritime Security: Security Contractors on Spanish Ship Thwarts Somali Pirate Attack

Filed under: Maritime Security,Somalia,Spain — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 7:35 AM

   That’s right!  This is the kind of good news I love reading.  The security contracting industry is answering the call and we are doing the good work of protecting these ships. No word on what company these guys worked for, but it has been in the news that Spain is really into using private security instead of military for protecting their fishing boats. –Matt

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Spanish ship thwarts Somali pirate attack

November 29, 2009

MADRID — A Spanish fishing boat thwarted an attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean in the early hours of Sunday morning, Spain’s defence ministry said.

The pirates fired bullets and threw a grenade at the Spanish-flagged Ortube Berria, before being fought off by the ship’s onboard private security guards, the ministry said in a statement.

The attack happened at 5:37 am (0437 GMT) some 230 nautical miles (426 kilometres) southwest of the Seychelles.

“No injuries or damage to equipment have been recorded,” the ministry said.

Around 50 private security contractors were sent from Spain in mid-November to protect Spanish fishing trawlers from piracy attacks.

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Strategy: Privateering and National Defense, by Larry Sechrest

Filed under: Al Qaeda,Maritime Security,Strategy — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 7:15 AM

“Every possible encouragement should be given to privateering in time of war.” -Thomas Jefferson

*****

    I am telling you, this is an interesting paper to read if you can find the time.  If you are a big Ayn Rand fan or a Mises Institute fan, then you will enjoy this.  Even if you aren’t into that stuff, I still think you will like this treatment of the subject.

    It is basically all about privateering and how it could be used for national defense. To basically use free market forces to defeat an enemy.  The reason why this is not being implemented, even though the mechanism is still in place in the constitution is that big government and it’s military is really not down with sharing the stage with private industry. Although if you look at the evolution of the industry the last eight years or so, you could make the case that we are sharing the stage.  Either way…..

     Larry has pointed out that private industry is certainly capable of doing extreme damage to an enemy, if given an opportunity. And as you can see with his final commentary on the subject, the professor thought it would have been a good tool to use against Usama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. I wonder if we could have got him by now, if we would have set up a system like this to go after his merry gang of miscreants?-Matt

Edit: 11/30/2009- Mr. Lozzi has made a comment on the article Larry Sechrest wrote to correct the record.  You can find this quote in the comments section and I will post it here in the edit.

*****

From Edward Lozzi & Associates:

Although there was a group of Fortune 500 Companies who raised over a billion dollars to finance mercenaries to kill Bin Laden within weeks after 911, and 2 years before Bush sent in U.S. troops, something needs to be made clear to your readers. The article from Seacrest in 2001( repeted on your site) implies that myself and my company raised these funds. U.S. News & World Report broke the story. But it is not the case that we raides-or help raise the funds. In fact our public relations firm was only brought in to consult on spreading the quest and to liason with the media- we were retained by the cooperating Fortune 500 companies who remained secret fearing more planes crashing into their corporate offices in New York and Los Angeles. There was intent fear of this happening for almost a year. Thank you.

Edward Lozzi, President Edward Lozzi & Associates Beverly Hills

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Privateering and National Defense: Naval Warfare for Private Profit

September 1, 2001

Larry J. Sechrest

Abstract: The claim that all legitimate defense functions can and must be privately supplied flies in the face of certain economic doctrines that are almost universally accepted. Almost all economists declare that national defense is a “public good” that will be provided in sub-optimal quantities—or not provided at all—by private, profit-seeking firms. The purpose of this paper is to challenge just that sort of statement. The attack on national defense as a public good which must be provided by the state will be two-pronged. One part, the briefer of the two, will raise theoretical questions about public goods in general and national defense in particular. The second part will be devoted to a detailed survey of privateering, a form of naval warfare conducted by privately-owned ships which lasted from the twelfth century to the nineteenth century. What privateers were, how they operated, the legal customs that grew up around them, how effective they were, how profitable they were, and why they disappeared will all be addressed. The common employment of privateers during wartime will be offered as empirical evidence that defense need not be monopolized by the state.

 Download PDF File of the Full Paper

Larry J. Sechrest is a Research Fellow at The Independent Institute in Oakland, California, and a professor of economics at Sul Ross State University. (Larry also passed away in 2008)

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Let Privateers Troll for Bin Laden

September 30, 2001

Larry J. Sechrest

In the wake of the Sept. 11th attacks, a group of American businessmen has decided to enlist the profit motive to bring the perpetrators to justice. Headed by Edward Lozzi of Beverly Hills, California, the group intends to offer a bounty of $1 billion—that’s billion with a “b”—to any private citizens who will capture Osama bin Laden and his associates, dead or alive.Paying private citizens to achieve military objectives seems novel but is hardly untried.

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