>a tremendous problem with special >operations people leaving service to work in Iraq the SAS and SBS could face that too -- certainly people are asking to leave them (not, take leave) to go to Iraq. (The SAS is fighting alongside US special forces in Northern Iraq, but they're regular SAS.) "These ex-SAS men don't come cheap. David Claridge, managing director of London-based Janusian Security Risk Management, t old the Chicago Tribune that clients can expect to pay up to $10,000 a day for top-of-the-line service that would include four armed guards and two armored vehicles. These men can earn as much as a $250,000 a year--" ----- Original Message ----- From: Lawrence Helm To: Lit-Ideas Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:21 PM Subject: [lit-ideas] Security Forces in Iraq In the following, my friend, recently returned from Iraq (where he worked for the Army Corps of Engineers), comments on Civilian Security Forces used there. Lawrence I'm not sure how DoS runs their blackwater guys, but typically the security contractors are handled by a responsible security manager who is a government person. They do have supervision and control. Blackwater could be aggressive, similar to actual military forces, but within defined RoE (rules of Engagement) and all incidents are investigated. these are typically high end security personnel who are highly trained and prefer discretion. There are "cowboys" out there as well, and some of the lower rent companies have more of a reputation for sloppiness. Blackwater has it's own training center and seemed to be committed to excellence. We didn't use Blackwater. We used different companies that were very professional but had a lower profile. Tactics varied depending on the threat, which tied into region and intelligence analysis. The issue that seems to get left out of the discussions in the major media is that these guys are protecting possibly quite high level people in DoS that cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of the enemy. Injury or loss of these personnel would be crippling to doS efforts and also a propoganda boon. VIP security in general follows procedures and mission profiles that are similar around the world. This is not just the case in Iraq. The same companies often have contracts in numerous countries and some of the individuals have done the same work around the world. I also met a lot of security contractors who were on leave of absence from a national army (true of several Brits I met) to work for a year at high pay and then return to the Army. Australia in particular had (and still has?) a tremendous problem with special operations people leaving service to work in Iraq