The Washington Post today tells the story of how 8 commandos, employees of Blackwater Security, and 1 US Marine, repelled an attack on coalition headquarters in Najaf. The commandos are employees of the same firm that employed the four men slain in Fallujah. The attackers...
The attackers used rocket-propelled grenades, ak-47's and a sniper on a nearby rooftop. The Blackwater employees held the attackers at bay for hours. At one point, their own helicopter flew in under fire to provide re-supply and to evacuate the wounded marine. The entire story can be found at The Washington Post: Private Guards Repel Attack on U.S. Headquarters
Private contractors are not only a reality of modern war, but in they've served throughout history also,
Private contractors have been a feature in warfare for centuries and their role as hired guns has not changed. The Swiss Guard in the 15th Century fulfilled the same role that a company such as the US based Military Professionals Resource Incorporated and Blackwater does now, that is, sending personnel to serve in war zones for a price. The difference is that today’s private military organisations are marketed in a slick corporate fashion with services that include a host of military solutions ranging from battlefield leadership, training, tactical support and logistics. These companies have been active in trying to shift away from the perception of private contractors as freebooting, unruly armies running amok throughout Africa that has characterised them in many books and movies. [Source]
Private contractors work for the US Military around the world. It is estimated there are 15,000 to 20,000 contract soldiers in Iraq alone. The Miami Herald provides some good background information on them and on one of the companies, Blackwater Security, in a story here.
Almost exclusively, these private firms hire former military men, usually former Special Forces soldiers for what can be very hazardous but financially rewarding duty. However, despite their status as employees rather than soldiers, we've seen many acts of bravery and heroism that rival those in the US Military. These guys perform a dangerous job and, for the most part, they perform it very well.
An article here discusses the difficulties faced by contractors in Iraq, but a story I posted about last week still serves as the best description of conditions on the ground for these private security firms. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to check it out here: Hired Guns
Previous posts on this topic:
Old Soldiers, Part II
Contractors in Iraq
Life As A Mercenary
Links of Interest:
Blackwater Security
Military Professionals Resource Incorporated
International Peace Operations Association
ArmorGroup