Feral Jundi

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Las Vegas: Security Steps Kept Gunman Behind ‘Line’, Expert Says

   Rest in peace to the security contractor that was killed in this incident.  It sounds like the security steps in place where able to keep the gunman out though, and that is a good thing. –Matt

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Security steps kept gunman behind ‘line,’ expert says

Jan. 05, 2010

By HENRY BREAN

The Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse opened in 2000 with an array of cutting-edge security features designed to protect it from an Oklahoma City-style truck bomb attack.

But the building also included plenty of protection against a far more likely threat: the lone gunman.

Those security measures appeared to work as designed on Monday, according to at least one expert in the field. Don Hardenbergh is a consultant specializing in courthouse design and security.

He said the armed man who walked into the Las Vegas courthouse on Monday immediately found himself in a security screening area much like those at other federal facilities, and “he didn’t get beyond that.”

“It’s hard to stop someone who comes through the door and starts shooting,” said Hardenbergh, who has published papers on courthouse security and runs a Virginia-based consulting firm called Court Works

(more…)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Industry Talk: Iraq Spokesman Says Ex-Blackwater Employees Not Wanted In Iraq

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 2:12 PM

“I don’t think [the] Iraqi government is willing to have any Blackwater member, even if they are working in other companies, we don’t like to see them here working in any company,” al-Dabbagh said. “Instructions have been given to check if there is any Blackwater member [in the country]. I advise him to leave Iraq and not to stay in Iraq anymore.”

*****

     Interesting choice of words.  So my question is how will Iraq get this list of current and former BW guys? Keep your eye on this one, and watch yourselves out there.-Matt

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Iraq spokesman: Ex-Blackwater employees not wanted in Iraq

January 3, 2010

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Ali al-Dabbagh says he hasn’t told U.S. Embassy: “I don’t think we need to consult any others”

He says Iraq will file suit against five Blackwater security guards in 2007 deaths of civilians

Stance follows U.S. ruling to dismiss charges against ex-Blackwater guards

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) — The Iraqi government is actively pursuing any former Blackwater personnel still working in the country, spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told CNN in an interview Sunday.

“I don’t think [the] Iraqi government is willing to have any Blackwater member, even if they are working in other companies, we don’t like to see them here working in any company,” al-Dabbagh said. “Instructions have been given to check if there is any Blackwater member [in the country]. I advise him to leave Iraq and not to stay in Iraq anymore.”

Iraq said Friday it will file suit against five Blackwater security guards cleared of manslaughter charges in the 2007 killings of 17 Iraqi civilians, an act a government official called murder. Al-Dabbagh also said Friday the Iraqi government will ask the U.S. Justice Department to appeal a federal judge’s dismissal of the charges Thursday, calling it “unfair and unacceptable.”

(more…)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Industry Talk: Peter Moore Reunited With Family As Argument Rages Over Deaths

   You know, the way these security contractors were just killed and thrown away by these captors is just deplorable. It is just like how they did the guys at Crescent, and with Nick Berg. The enemy didn’t sign on to the Geneva Convention, and they could care less about your life.  Fighting to your death is probably your best option……if you even can fight to the death.  If not, and for whatever reason you do get captured, may god have mercy on your soul.  I think in that case, hope and constant dedication to any means of escape are things that will get you through.  The Code of Conduct could be somewhat of a guide, along with the industry best practice for surviving hostage situations.  Other than that, just don’t get captured. –Matt

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Peter Moore reunited with family as argument rages over deaths

January 2, 2010

Sean O’Neill, Crime and Security Editor

Peter Moore arrived back in Britain last night as criticism continued to grow of the Government’s handling of the Iraq hostage crisis.

A chartered aircraft carrying Mr Moore landed at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, shortly after 5pm. He was later reunited with his stepparents, Fran and Pauline Sweeney, at an undisclosed location.

Mr and Mrs Sweeney, from Lincoln, said that they were “thrilled to have Peter back safely”. They asked for the chance to spend some time with him.

“We have a lot of catching up to do and would like to have time with Peter on our own,” the couple said.

Mr Moore, 36, was flown from Baghdad to the Jordanian capital Amman yesterday morning, then transferred to an aircraft operated by the security company International SOS for his return to Britain. He was accompanied by consular staff from the British Embassy in Baghdad and was met at the RAF base by an official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

(more…)

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Legal News: Judge Dismisses All Charges Against Blackwater Guards In Baghdad Shooting

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq,Legal News — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 2:14 PM

   Bravo to the judge for an excellent decision.  In my opinion, the case the prosecution had against these guys sucked from day one and they overstepped their bounds totally.  This is a war and these guys did the best they could in a bad situation.  No one in this industry wakes up one day, and decides they want to purposely kill civilians while in the middle of being ambushed. –Matt

Edit: 01/01/2010 – Blackfive had a great post about this whole deal, and has been covering it pretty close over the years. There is also a pretty happy response on the forums, here, here, and here.

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Judge Dismisses All Charges Against Blackwater Guards in Baghdad Shooting

December 31, 2009

A U.S. judge has dismissed all charges against five Blackwater Worldwide security guards charged in a deadly Baghdad shooting.

WASHINGTON — A U.S. judge has dismissed all charges against five Blackwater Worldwide security guards charged in a deadly Baghdad shooting.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina said Thursday the Justice Department overstepped its bounds and wrongly used evidence it was not allowed to see. He said the government’s explanations have been contradictory and unbelievable.

Blackwater contractors were hired to guard State Department diplomats in Iraq. Prosecutors say the guards fired on unarmed civilians in a busy intersection in 2007, killing innocent people.

After the shooting, the guards gave statements to State Department investigators. Prosecutors were not allowed to use those statements in the case.

Story here.

 

Jobs: Triple Canopy Open House, Kuwait

   This is kind of funny.  When I think open house, I think of some kind of real estate deal, with cookies, coffee and really sharp dressed and fast talking realtors. lol  So I guess if you happen to be in Kuwait at the time, check em out and good luck. –Matt

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TC

Triple Canopy Open House – KuwaitWednesday, December 23, 2009, 15:18

US Government Contractors seeking continued employment in Kuwait & the Middle East are invited to attend Triple Canopy’s Open House. We are a global security solutions provider that mitigates risk and develops comprehensive security programs for government agencies, private corporations and non-governmental organizations.

Please join us at our open house to meet our team!

Date: January 14, 2010

Location: Hilton Kuwait Resort in the Burgan Meeting Room

Times available: Session One:  7:30 a.m.  – 11:30 a.m. or

                              Session Two:  7:00 p.m.  – 10:00 p.m.

We are seeking qualified, team players with the leadership skills and maturity to thrive in a fast-paced global environment. We have many opportunities for top performers who would like to join a growing organization founded on legal, moral and ethical principles.

Please visit our website to review all career opportunities.

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