Afghanistan « Feral Jundi

Monday, September 14, 2009

Video: CSPAN–Wartime Contracting in Afghanistan and Iraq: DoS and the Kabul Fiasco

Filed under: Afghanistan,Video — Tags: Afghanistan, CSPAN, DoS, security contracting, Video, wartime contracting — Matt @ 8:38 AM

I am watching this right now, and it is fascinating. They talk about ‘Snack Pack’ (dressing like Afghans and going outside the wire to do a recon) and the hazing stuff. Lots of interesting little tidbits being covered in this deal.

The overall impression that I get, is that this hearing is bashing the crap out of State for not doing anything about this stuff when it was brought up, time and time again over the years. This contract has been a joke for awhile, and State could care less about squaring it away. –Matt

Edit:

The most profound thing in this whole deal was Samuel Brinkley alluding to the idea that the Snack Pack was condoned by the State Department. (Snack Pack was the group that did the recon outside the wire–big no, no, and definitely not in the contract)

I will applaud him for the apologies to the industry, and that is the least he could do. Although I am not too convinced that he is the right guy for that VP job with Wackenhut. He didn’t even know what a Gurkha was, and he actually thought that all of his Nepalese guards on the contract at the Embassy were Gurkhas. LOL

Oh, and the AGNA supervisor that put together that Rat Poster (friends do not rat on friends…..), is an idiot. You know who you are, and guys like you do not deserve to be in management or even in this industry. –Matt

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Industry Talk: State’s Inspector General Says Failed Oversight on Armor Group ‘Will Be Made Public’

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: Armor Group, DoS, Industry Talk, oversight, security contractors, State Department — Matt @ 7:35 AM

Great! State has a lot of answering to do in regards to managing this thing, and I am glad to hear that the IG will be going to town on these clowns that exhibited such poor leadership and oversight. I also hope that the State Department will have the guts to do what is right, and fire some folks as well. Although I see that as a little bit tougher, because it is damn near impossible to fire anyone in government. –Matt

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State’s Inspector General Says Failed Oversight on ArmorGroup ‘Will Be Made Public’

By Spencer Ackerman

9/9/09

At a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on Afghanistan, the State Department’s inspector general, Howard Geisel, made his first public comments about ArmorGroup, the State Department security contractor accused of physical and sexual harassment. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) asked Geisel, whose office has opened an investigation into the oversight of ArmorGroup’s contract to protect the U.S. embassy in Kabul, “who bears responsibility” for the company’s abuses.

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Industry Talk: Armor Group Seeks More Guards, But What Have They Done to Fix Things?

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: Afghanistan, Armor Group, embassy, Industry Talk, security contractors — Matt @ 7:05 AM

Armor Group Seeks More Guards, But What Have They Done to Fix Things?

09/10/2009

I got an email from Black Ice Security telling me that Armor Group was looking for Embassy Guards, and I also noticed that Secure Aspects was flying the same AG Embassy Guard Force job. At first I chuckled, and then I thought wow, someone is going to jump into that mess and risk their reputation with this gig-I better discuss this with the readers. The question I have, which I am sure is on the minds of potential contractors signing up for this job, is what has AG done to insure that another fiasco like this doesn’t happen again?

The reason why I think they should make a public statement on such a thing, is because AG will further damage this industry if they have not done the necessary things to fix their organization and management. If they were in a bubble, I could care less, but the reality of it all is that what AG does, impacts everyone in this industry. Like I have said in prior posts, I am tired of being hated, because of the acts of others.

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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Industry Talk: With U.S. Forces in Iraq Beginning to Leave, Need for Private Guards Grows

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: Afghanistan, alcohol, General McChrystal, Iraq, security contractors — Matt @ 7:15 AM

Hey, I finally found a story about security contractors that did not mention the Nisour Square deal or the fiasco in Kabul. In fact, this story only highlight’s the increased use of security contractors in this war. You know, the reality of the situation.

The two things that interested me, beyond the obvious intent of the article, was the amazing use of security contractors. Contractors were the ones used to back fill when the Georgian troops had to ditch back in August. Security contractors will be taking over security at Camp Victory in Iraq as well–which is huge! (it will require 2,600 guards). This is the story that the MSM refuses to recognize, and I continue to be amazed at how we are used.

I think the other reason why the Kabul fiasco story wasn’t mentioned here, is because it looks like the military is dealing with alcohol related issues in Afghanistan as well. (if the military does the same jackass thing as contractors, then it kind of loses some oomph…. you would think) So it looks like General McChrystal tried to get a hold of some folks after the latest tanker bombing incident that resulted in some dead civilians, and his ‘goto guys’ were all hungover from partying the night before. –Matt

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With U.S. Forces in Iraq Beginning to Leave, Need for Private Guards Grows

By Walter PincusTuesday, September 8, 2009

As the United States withdraws its combat forces from Iraq, the government is hiring more private guards to protect U.S. installations at a cost that could near $1 billion, according to the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.

On Sept. 1, the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) awarded contracts expected to be worth $485 million over the next two years to five firms to provide security and patrol services to U.S. bases in Iraq.

Under this contract, the firms will bid against one another for individual orders at specific bases or locations. These “task orders” in the past have ranged from supplying one specialist to providing as many as 1,000 people to handle security for a major base.

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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Industry Talk: The Kabul Fiasco and Moving Forward

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: Armour Group, DoS, eeben barlow, embassy, Jake Allen, Kabul, Tim Lynch — Matt @ 8:07 AM

I don’t have much to say, because the acts of these individuals and the lack of leadership at Armour Group and DoS speak volumes. I guess the only thing not being said in this whole deal, is bravo to the whistleblowers for having the courage to do what is right. That takes guts, to put it all on the line and call out your employer like that. You guys had the courage to do what is right.

The other thing I want to applaud in this deal, is the outpouring of commentary and passion on the subject by our small community of security contractors and bloggers. The media and public should take note that we do care about what you think, and that the acts of these few individuals, and the non-action of companies and governments, have disgusted us as well.

We are also getting tired of being hated, and for those of you looking for the way forward, I highly suggest you develop your own personal plan on how to be the best you can be on your contract. Your actions, could stop another incident like this. Your act of outstanding leadership and professionalism, will motivate others, and bring honor and respect upon your crew and this industry. Use the key elements of Jundism, and get your Kaizen on. –Matt

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Boys Gone Wild!!! The Kabul Edition, by Jake Allen

Is It Just Me?, by Eeben Barlow

Animal House: The Real Story, by Tim Lynch (This is an outstanding post, because of Tim’s experience at the Embassy)

Problems at the U.S. Embassy in A’stan, SOCNET Forum Thread

Career SEPPUKU: U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan Fires Lewd Guards, Tactical Forums Thread

WSI/Armor Group Afghanistan Embassy, Secure Aspects Forum Thread

Drank Vodka Poured Off Each Other’s Exposed Buttocks?, Lightfighter Forum Thread

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Project on Government Oversight

Sep 04, 2009

State Department Rescinds Two Resignations, Revokes Security Clearances

We’ve just received word about some of the ArmorGroup guards who have left the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. Originally, two guards had resigned before news broke of the misconduct. We’ve heard from sources on the ground that the State Department has rescinded the pair’s resignations, fired the guards, and revoked their security clearances, meaning they won’t be able to work again as a government contractor in a war zone. In addition to the other eight dismissals that have been announced, this is a good step towards holding to account those responsible for the misconduct.We are concerned, however, that some of the dismissed contractors were younger guards coerced into the depravity. So far we’ve seen good, swift action, but we should be careful not to punish those that may have been victimized.

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