Feral Jundi

Monday, August 16, 2010

Industry Talk: Afghan Government Says Four Months To Disband All Private Security Firms

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Matt @ 12:14 PM

About 26,000 armed security contractors work with the U.S. government in Afghanistan, including 19,000 with the U.S. military, Boor said. The majority of military contractors protect convoys, though some also provide base security, said Maj. Joel Harper, a spokesman for NATO forces.

Karzai has said such responsibilities should fall to either enlisted military or police, though it’s unclear how soon Afghan forces would be ready to take on additional jobs.

Boor said private contractors were needed right now to keep development projects and military operations running.

“Since the Afghan army and the Afghan police are not quite at the stages of capability and capacity to provide all the security that is needed, private security companies are filling a gap,” Boor said.

*****

     I think this will have disastrous consequences if the whole thing is torn down in four months. What perplexes me is that Petraeus is talking with Karzai on an almost daily basis according to the general’s latest interviews. Why is no one telling Karzai and company what the reality is on the ground, or how important security contractors are to the war effort? In essence, because there is such a massive requirement for security and training, and the Afghan police and military already have plenty of work to do when it comes to actually fighting or policing, I am just kind of curious how Karzai magically expects this vacuum to be filled? Will he be making all of his military and police into guards and teachers, and have NATO and ISAF do all of his fighting and policing for him?

     But hey, it’s his country and maybe all the companies should just throw down their weapons all at once. lol If Karzai wants to be popular, this is a great way to do it for about one day. Because as soon as all the reconstruction forces refuse to go out and do anything because of a lack of security, the people will slowly start to understand what was the cause of that. There is an aid machine, and it will shut down if you mess with it. And as the Taliban take advantage of this broken aid machine, they will tell the people that Karzai is the cause of their discontent. So he might think this is a good political move right now, but this will backfire on him in the future and lead to him being removed. If not by another politician, it will be by the Taliban.

     Now the correct way for security contractors to be removed is for a conditions based withdrawal, much like with today’s military forces. A July 2011 withdrawal makes no sense, much like a 4 month withdrawal makes no sense with security contractors. There is a right way to do this, and a wrong way, and success is the only way for a withdrawal to happen. Anything else is a date of victory for your enemy.

     Of course there could be other factors at play and this is way too early to really make an accurate assessment. This could be part of the political negotiation process sparked by the anti-corruption teams that have threatened the Karzai inner circle. Or it could be a move to get more recruits for government forces by dissolving Afghan PSC’s. Stay tuned and we will see how this plays out. Hopefully Tim and other Afghan hands can chime in on what he has heard, or what he thinks is really going on. –Matt

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Afghan gov’t: 4 months to disband security firms

August 16, 2010

KABUL, Afghanistan — A spokesman for the Afghan president says Hamid Karzai will order all private security companies in the country disbanded within four months.

Spokesman Waheed Omar says the decree is expected later Monday. It will both set the deadline and detail a process through which the companies should cease operations.

Omar spoke at a press conference in the capital and declined to give further details until the decree was released.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The U.S. military supports the Afghan government’s plan to dissolve private security companies and is tightening oversight of its own armed contractors in the interim, an official said Monday.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called repeatedly for banning private security companies, saying they undermine government security forces. Contractors perform duties ranging from guarding supply convoys to personal security details for diplomats and businessmen.

A presidential spokesman said last week a deadline to abolish private security contractors was imminent. In his inauguration speech in November, Karzai said he wanted to close down both foreign and domestic security contractors within two years.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Industry Talk: NATO Slack Forces US To Send More Soldier And Contractor Trainers To Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk,Training — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 10:36 PM

     This story is interesting for a couple of reasons.  Awhile back I wrote a post that dealt with this type of problem specifically, and how contractors are the ones who will be taking up the ‘slack’.  Matter of fact, that is part of the title of the post. Afghanistan: So As NATO Falters Or Members Leave, Will Contractors Pick Up The Slack?

     One thing that struck me was the numbers mentioned in this story about how many contractor trainers are over there now.  I think that number is much larger than the 2,000 that is mentioned.  I could be wrong, and I only say this because DoD really hasn’t been that accurate with their contractor accounting.  Still, 2,000 contractor trainers is pretty significant.

     The other part that I wanted to mention, was the idea that it takes NATO so long to spin up the required amount of manpower, and yet there was no mention on how fast it takes contractors to be spun up and sent over.  Of course NPR did not want to minimize the capability of the US military, but in all honesty, private industry is the winner for speed of deployment and quantity needed when it comes to training stuff.  Hell, the only thing that slows down contractor deployments, is the lack of government CORs needed to manage the whole contract to ensure it is properly carried out. lol But in this race, we excel.

     The three month training deployment that the 82nd Airborne finished was pretty cool too.  Three month deployments are nice, and private industry is the king of utilizing short deployment contracts like this.  Could we see the military do more of these types of deployments?  I know the troops would probably dig it.

     I also wanted to give a big thanks and pat on the back to all of those contractors out there who are a part of this massive training effort in the war.  You are an essential part of today’s strategy, and today’s war planners and strategists might not appreciate what you do, but I certainly appreciate the hard work you are doing.

     My guess is that there will be more work coming too, so definitely keep up an eye on all the forums and job boards if you are planning to get into the training side of the business. –Matt

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NATO Slack Forces U.S. To Send Afghanistan Trainers

by Tom Bowman

August 13, 2010

American soldiers — and even private contractors — are spearheading the effort to build an Afghan army and police force, so American and NATO troops can one day leave. But Pentagon officials and military officers say NATO nations still aren’t doing enough.

A few weeks ago, hundreds of artillery troops and air defense artillery soldiers from Fort Sill in Oklahoma and Fort Campbell in Kentucky started heading over to Afghanistan. They weren’t part of the so-called surge in combat troops. Instead, Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed orders for them to work as trainers because European nations were too slow in helping out.

“We’re still not getting NATO able to force-generate and deploy forces in the numbers that we need,” says Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, who leads the training effort in Afghanistan. “So Gates said, ‘OK then, I’m going to give you another unit.’ “

It was the second time this year Gates said OK to more American trainers because NATO wasn’t picking up the slack. An 800-soldier battalion from the 82nd Airborne Division just got back from Afghanistan on a three-month training mission, designed to serve as a “bridge” to more NATO troops.

But with the NATO troops still not arriving, the troops from Oklahoma and Kentucky were sent — for a year.

That’s annoying some members of Congress.

“NATO members who for whatever reason do not send additional combat troops or who intend to reduce their combat troop presence in the near future should at least be willing to provide trainers who operate away from the heavy fighting,” Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who heads the Armed Services Committee, said at a recent hearing.

NATO is willing — to a point. It has sent about 900 trainers to work with Afghan soldiers and police. The U.S. has sent more than twice that number. American private contractors have sent 2,000.

(more…)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Industry Talk: DoS Faces Skyrocketing Costs As It Prepares To Expand Role In Iraq

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 12:07 PM

     Officials in Washington said that the Defense and State cuts were interconnected in several ways, including the expectation that the Iraqi military could assist in providing security for an increased American civilian presence as the U.S. military relinquishes that task.

     But while Iraqis are providing some help, officials said they were not yet comfortable depending on them. “We want to work with both the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police in bolstering our security,” a senior administration official said. “That has to be worked out in terms of the availability of trained personnel, and it will take time to achieve it.

“I’m not saying it’s never going to happen. I’m just saying it’s not going to happen tomorrow.” 

*****

     You guys think? lol What is interesting about what is going on now, is everyone on the hill is looking at things they can cut. And if defense is getting cut, all those congressmen who will lose jobs for constituents back in their districts because of these defense cuts, will certainly lash out to make sure others feel the pain. So of course they will attack budgeting for other programs that are not as protected as defense.

     But reality dictates.  The quote up top is the one thing that I keep thinking about. Can we depend upon the Iraqis to protect the DoS in Iraq?  Or better yet, why have the DoS in Iraq in the first place, if they will not have the funding to move off the bases (which would require ‘dependable’ security).  Obviously these requests for security related programs and equipment is necessary in DoS’s view, because they do not feel they could depend upon the Iraqis. The cheapest option would be to depend upon the Iraqis, but in this case, the Best Value option would be to take all things into consideration, and get their own capability.

     The question is, can they sell this to congress?  Because instead of going cheap on security, it sounds to me like they are cutting bases and programs.  The only place they are going cheap for security, is cutting the fortification process for some Iraqi police stations. So yeah, the smart thing to do is not even open up a base if you cannot afford proper security for it.  That also cuts into the overall mission in Iraq that DoS had in mind, which is essential to getting Iraq to a point of stability and good governance. Either way congress goes with this, State will always have to default to ensuring security is at it’s optimum.  Especially if congress will not assign more troops to Iraq for DoS protection duties. –Matt

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State Dept. faces skyrocketing costs as it prepares to expand role in Iraq

By Karen DeYoung and Ernesto LondoñoAugust 11, 2010

As the last U.S. combat troops prepare to leave Iraq this month, the State Department is struggling to implement an expanded mission that it has belatedly realized it might not be able to afford.

Beginning in September, the State Department will take over all police training in Iraq from coalition military forces, and it has proposed replacing its current 16 provincial reconstruction teams spread across the country with five consular offices outside Baghdad.

But since planning for the transition began more than two years ago, costs have skyrocketed and the money to pay for them has become increasingly tight. Congress cut the State Department’s Iraq request in the 2010 supplemental appropriation that President Obama signed late last month; the Senate Appropriations Committee and a House subcommittee have already slashed the administration’s $1.8 billion request for fiscal 2011 operations in Iraq.

Gen. Ray Odierno, the outgoing commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, and other U.S. officials are urging lawmakers to reconsider their plans, citing concerns that waning resources could jeopardize tenuous security gains.

“We can’t spread ourselves so thin that we don’t have the capacity to do the job in the places where we put people,” said Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew, who has told Congress that State will not deploy civilians where it cannot protect them. “If we don’t put people in a place where they have mobility, where they can go out and meet with the people and implement their programs,” he said, “there’s very little argument for being in the place we send them.”

The State Department has signaled in recent weeks that it will need up to $400 million more than initially requested to cover mushrooming security costs, but lawmakers seem in no mood to acquiesce.

(more…)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Industry Talk: Suicide Attack Hits Hart Security Guest House In Kabul, Kills Two Drivers

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 12:00 PM

     Another attack and this time it sounds like two local national drivers were killed. Rest in peace to the fallen. Now I doubt this has anything to do with Crazy Karzai’s recent drive to ban PSC’s, but it certainly helps his cause when the Taliban attack PSC’s.  Obviously this is a sign that the Taliban and company feel that contractors like this or medical workers and NGO’s, are threats and they are legitimate targets. PSC’s are heavily involved with reconstruction and aid projects, which directly equates to winning popular support of the people. Take out these forces, and services and projects being administered decreases. Is this what Karzai wants, because I know this is what the Taliban want. –Matt

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Suicide attack hits Western security company in Kabul

August 10, 2010

KABUL — Two Taliban suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance of a Western private security company’s house in central Kabul on Tuesday, killing two drivers, Afghan police and witnesses said.

The attack came as President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman said all international and domestic private security firms would be dissolved in a bid to transfer capacity to the weaker Afghan police and army.

Head of police criminal investigations in the Afghan capital said the two civilians killed were drivers for international security contractors Hart.

“There were two suicide bombers who detonated themselves at the entrance. Two drivers were killed and a security guard was injured,” police chief Sayed Abdul Ghafar Sayedzada told reporters.

A senior representative of the London-based company told AFP there had been an incident in the vicinity of their villa, but had no details.

(more…)

Monday, August 9, 2010

Industry Talk: New Century Security Contractor Shot Dead In Afghanistan By Prisoner

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk,Ireland — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 10:31 PM

     Rest in peace to the fallen, and my heart goes out to the family and friends. I don’t know much about the company New Century, but it sounds like it is one of the many companies out there involved with training Afghans. Tim Collins is the CEO and he has definitely been busy with TV shows and books after his career in the military.

     If anyone else has something to add about this incident, please feel free to post in the comments section. –Matt

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Ex-Northern Ireland policeman shot dead in Afghanistan by prisoner

10 August 2010

A former Northern Ireland police officer working as a security contractor for Nato in Afghanistan has been shot dead by an escaped insurgent prisoner.

Ken McGonigle, 51, from Co Derry, died on Saturday night when the prisoner in Musa Qala, northern Helmand province, overpowered his guards when being taken to pray. He seized his captors’ weapons and shot McGonigle before killing two US marines as they followed him into nearby buildings. The prisoner was eventually shot and killed.

McGonigle was working for the Nato training mission as part of a group supplied by a private security firm to mentor and train the Afghan police force.

“Our hearts are broken,” said McGonigle’s father, Joe, speaking from Trillick, Co Tyrone. “It is an awful thing to happen but there’s nothing we could do about it … Kenneth was the first man [the insurgent] saw – he opened [fire] and Kenneth hit the ground.”

Ken McGonigle was working for New Century. The firm is based in Guernsey and is led by the former British colonel Tim Collins.

The company yesterday offered its condolences to his family after the “tragic but isolated incident”.

In a statement, it said: “His presence and contribution will be sorely missed by everyone in the company and at the Nato training mission. Ken was a highly professional, deeply competent, well-admired and thoroughly committed colleague who made a material difference through his work.”

(more…)

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