Feral Jundi

Friday, April 29, 2011

Industry Talk: MPRI Contractor James McLaughlin One Of Nine Americans Killed In Afghanistan Shooting

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:16 PM

Rest in peace to James and the rest of the Americans killed in this tragic incident in Kabul. This has been a bad couple of weeks for MPRI and with the loss of Paul Almryde and James, these deaths tragically mark the beginning of the spring fighting season.

I would also like to remind the reader that the sacrifice of contractors in Afghanistan has been steep.  Here are the latest figures from wikipedia, which also draws from the DoL.

The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that by March 31, 2011, a total of 763 civilian contractors were killed in Afghanistan. Of which, during the period between June 2009 and April 2010, 260 were private security contractors or PMCs.

If you look up in the Contractor Casualty Statistics box here on the blog, I try to keep everything close to current. But obviously these latest deaths have added to this unfortunate list in Afghanistan. To all friends and family members of fallen contractors, the sacrifices of these heroes will not be forgotten. My heart also goes out to the military men and women who have also given the ultimate sacrifice and last pound of flesh in this war. Semper fi. –Matt


James McLaughlin

James McLaughlin of Santa Rosa dead in Afghan war
Henry K. Lee
Friday, April 29, 2011
Civilian contractor James McLaughlin of Santa Rosa was killed with eight troops.
Sandy McLaughlin of Santa Rosa used Skype twice a day to talk to her husband while the retired Army veteran worked as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan. Seeing his wife over the video phone was the highlight of his day.
On Tuesday night, James McLaughlin Jr., 55, gave his wife his usual send-off: “OK, I gotta go. I love you. Bye-bye.”
Hours later, James McLaughlin was dead, one of nine Americans shot and killed at a military compound near the Kabul airport by a veteran Afghan military pilot. (more…)

Friday, April 22, 2011

Maritime Security: Somalia News–Firms Bid For Contracts To Fight Pirates, UNSC Passes Resolution, And The PMC Halliday Finch

Filed under: Industry Talk,Maritime Security,Somalia — Tags: , , , , , , , — Matt @ 3:33 PM

Now this is interesting for several reasons. The big problem everyone had with Saracen International was that they thought there was no transparency with that contract, and that they could be in  violation of the UN Arms Embargo placed on Somalia.  With this current resolution passed by the UN Security Counsel, this is basically giving legal authority for anti-piracy operations in Somalia, by making these operations fit in with this UN Arms Embargo.

Meaning, regions like Puntland can go forth and contract with private industry to set up UNSC approved legal apparatus to fight piracy with.  Companies could be used to train police forces or navies for anti-piracy, and not have to worry about any conflict with the UN–just as long as it fits in with the SC resolution.  That is why this conference was so interesting, and got little mention in the news. I guess a comparison here, is how private industry is used to prop up the police or military forces in Iraq or Afghanistan and have legal approval by authorities to do so.

Probably the most significant part that jumped out at me was this gem:

Halliday Finch, a Nairobi-based firm that is seeking funds to build a 1,500-strong maritime police force on behalf of the government in Mogadishu, said it follows such steps.
The company has already trained 500 non-maritime police, said CEO Sam Mattock, and has kept the UN and other organisations abreast of its activities.
“We’ve said, let’s do this properly, let’s make it transparent,” he said. “No secrets.”
The firm has drafted a law for the government to submit to parliament that would regulate maritime police.
To ensure the force is sustainable, the firm aims to spend $52 million in the first year and train up an officer corps within two years. With a Kuwaiti partner, Mr Mattock said, he plans to solicit the funds from the Kuwaiti government.

I have never heard of these folks before, but supposedly they have $52 million of Kuwaiti money to play around with, and they are helping their client in ‘drafting laws’?  Not to mention that they have already trained 500 police? Wow, how come this wasn’t reported and I am sure the folks at Saracen are scratching their head as to why they were singled out? Here are some of the jobs they are offering, to give you an idea about the company:

Are You interested in joining the Halliday Finch team in Africa?
We respect your privacy: Any details you submit will be sent directly and in strict confidence to the CEO. Your details will not be shared or passed on to any other party. If we have a vacancy matching your skill set (now or in the future), we will contact you to arrange an interview or to request further details.
Current Vacancies
OPERATIONS MANAGER: Position filled.
CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATIVES: Close protection operatives needed for tasks in Africa for VVIP and VIP principals. African Experience essential.
ESCORT DUTIES FOR GULF OF ADEN: Required for ongoing tasks, must have relevant maritime experience.
AVIATION SECURITY INSTRUCTOR: The successful applicant will be a certified / licensed Aviation Security Instructor who has successfully attended a UK DfT-approved Level 5 Training Course.
POLICE MENTORING SERVICE: Potential Police Service mentoring task in Somalia. Must have relevant Police Experience, Royal Military Police, UK Police, South African Police Service or East African Police Officers would be ideal.

So there you have it. This is some news that you will not hear anywhere else, and certainly significant. I also posted the UNSC Resolution that coincides with this article, just so you can see what I am talking about. –Matt

Firms bid for contracts to fight pirates
Carol Huang
Apr 20, 2011
Eager to capitalise on the rising threat of Somali piracy, private security firms are lining up to win contracts to train maritime forces in Somalia.
And while the international community backs the idea of building up Somali forces to fight piracy, it is raising eyebrows about the prospect of unregulated training and arming programmes that could later backfire.
Still, over 100 security firms have made pitches for contracts, said Saeed Mohamed Rage, the government minister overseeing counter-piracy for the Somali region of Puntland, where most pirates come from. (more…)

Industry Talk: MPRI Contractor Paul Almryde Killed In Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan,California,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 2:15 PM

This happened back on April 16 during an attack that killed several NATO and Afghan allies, as well as Paul Almryde. Contractors are a crucial element to the training mission in Afghanistan, and Paul was certainly doing his part. Rest in peace to Paul and the rest of the fallen, and your sacrifice will not be forgotten. –Matt

 

Barstow contractor killed in Afghanistan
By KAREN JONAS
April 21, 2011
A Barstow man killed last week while working as a military contractor in Afghanistan will be honored on Friday evening with a law enforcement escort as he is brought back to Barstow.
Paul Almryde, 46, was working for military contractor MPRI in Afghanistan as part of the Afghan National Army Corps support battalion on April 16 when he was killed by a suicide bomber, said his wife, Pamela Almryde. According to reports, a Taliban bomber dressed like an Afghan soldier in order to infiltrate a joint Afghan-U.S. base in the eastern province of Laghman. Four Afghan soldiers and five NATO service members — including Paul — were killed in the attack.
Rick Kiernan, a spokesman for MPRI, said the company wanted to express its condolences to the Almryde family and said that Paul was a “dedicated and professional member” of its team.
“At tragic times like these, we are reminded that we can never take for granted the sacrifices of L-3 MPRI employees worldwide,” said Kiernan. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Almryde family during this difficult time.”
Pamela said her husband was working as a mechanic at the base and was teaching Afghan troops how to repair their vehicles. Paul had served in the military for 21 years — with 12 years of active service in the Army and 9 years in the National Guard — before retiring in 2010 as a Master Sergeant. Paul joined MPRI last May. He was scheduled to come back to Barstow in June and was planning to sign another year-long contract with MPRI, said Pamela.
One of Paul’s neighbors, Jim Osbourn, is helping to organize the memorial on Friday because he wants to honor Paul’s memory as a service member. Osbourn said those wishing to honor his memory should get to Dana Park around 8:00 p.m., although the procession could be delayed because of traffic.
Paul was born and raised in San Diego before moving to Barstow about 15 years ago, said Pamela. The Almrydes would have been married for 10 years in June and were going to renew their vows once he returned.
Paul and Pamela each had two children from previous marriages and one of his sons will soon be stationed at Fort Irwin. Paul also had three grandchildren, whom Pamela said he doted on.
“He loved his grandkids to death and spent as much time with them as possible,” said Pamela.
One of the favorite things the couple would do together was simply sit outside in the summertime and talk, said Pamela.
“I’m very proud of him,” said Pamela. “He was my hero. I even have a license plate frame that says my husband, my hero.”?Contact the writer:?(760) 256-4122 or kjonas@desertdispatch.com
Honoring Paul Almryde
Honor escort

• Law enforcement officials will be escorting Paul Almryde’s remains down Barstow Road to Mead Mortuary.

• The public is invited to honor Paul Almryde’s memory by gathering at Dana Park, 841 Barstow Road, Friday, around 8-9 p.m. (dependent on traffic)?Memorial service

• Tuesday, April 26

• Visitation at 10:00 a.m.

• Services begin at 11:00 a.m.

• First Baptist Church, 1320 Barstow Road
Link to story here.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Legal News: DoD General Counsel Issues Guidance On Tax Exemptions For Contractors And Contractor Personnel In Iraq And Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk,Iraq,Legal News — Tags: , , , , , , , — Matt @ 12:40 PM

The Government of the United States of America, its military and civilian personnel, contractors, and contractor personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within Afghanistan…. Acquisition of articles and services in the republic of Afghanistan by or on behalf of the Government of the United States of America in implementing this agreement shall not be subject to any taxes, customs duties or similar charges in Afghanistan. -From the US/Afghan SOFA

Below I have posted both fact sheets that detail exactly what parts of the SOFA agreements we signed with Iraq and Afghanistan that details these exemptions. So this is the battle line that the US government has drawn, and these are the agreements between the US and these countries.  So if you think you or your company is being wrongly taxed or charged by government folks in these countries, you need to let your company know and remind all parties of what the position of the US government is on this matter. If you give these folks an inch, they will take a mile. –Matt

DoD General Counsel Issues Guidance on Tax Exemptions for Contractors and Contractor Personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan
April 20, 2011
The United States is bound by two distinct international agreements which contain specific provisions regarding the tax exemptions afforded to U.S. contractors and U.S. contractor employees in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was entered into force on May 28, 2003. In Iraq, the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement was entered into force on January 1, 2009. Both agreements provide broad tax exemptions for U.S. government personnel, including contractors and contractor employees doing business on behalf of the U.S. government. The terms of the agreements generally do not provide tax exemptions for persons or legal entities normally resident in Iraq or Afghanistan.
On March 28, 2011, DoD/OGC issued two fact sheets—one for Iraq and one for Afghanistan—addressing the tax exemptions for U.S. federal government contractors and contractor employees conducting business in these countries:
DoD/OGC fact sheet on Tax Exemptions for United States Contractors and United States Contract Personnel-Iraq
DoD/OGC fact sheet on Tax Exemptions for United States Contractors and United States Contract Personnel-Afghanistan

Monday, April 18, 2011

Legal News: Jailing Of Croatian General Ignites Anger At EU

Filed under: Croatia,Industry Talk,Legal News — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:56 AM

These forces had received instruction by a U.S.-based firm, Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI), headed by retired General Carl Vuono, which provided (along with French Foreign Legion organized training camp in Šepurine near Zadar) mainly the commissioned-officers training, but had no significant intelligence activities or professional influence on senior Croatian military strategy and tactics. Its engagement was approved by the U.S. government.
Former President Bill Clinton wrote in his memoirs that he believed the Serbs could only be brought to the negotiating table if they sustained major losses on the ground. The negotiations produced the Dayton Peace Agreement which ended the war in the Balkans.
Former US peace negotiator Richard Holbrooke said “he realised how much the Croatian offensive in the Krajina profoundly changed the nature of the Balkan game and thus this diplomatic offensive.” Retired four-star General Wesley Clark, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and later Supreme Allied Commander Europe simply called it a turning point. -From Wikipedia

Thanks to Cannoneer #4 for sending me this.  As everyone remembers, MPRI was instrumental to Operation Storm and licensed by the US government to do what they were doing in Croatia at this time. As the quotes above state, this victory in Croatia was a ‘turning point’ of the Balkans Conflict.

Awhile back, I also posted a deal where MPRI was being sued by Serbians that were impacted by this operation.  No word yet on how that is going. –Matt

Jailing of Croat general ignites anger at EU
April 16, 2011
By DUSAN STOJANOVI
Anger at a U.N. court’s jailing of a Croatian war hero erupted into fury at the European Union and this country’s pro-Western government on Saturday when thousands of enraged veterans of the Balkan conflict tore EU flags and denounced the conservative administration.
The court in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday sentenced Gen. Ante Gotovina to 24 years in prison for atrocities committed by his troops during “Operation Storm” — a 1995 military offensive designed to drive the Serb rebels out a swath of Croatia they had occupied. (more…)

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress