Blackwater Worldwide businesses

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Blackwater Worldwide
Type Private military security firm
Founded 1997
Founder Erik Prince
Headquarters 850 Puddin Ridge Road
Moyock, North Carolina, U.S.[1]
Key people Cofer Black
Joseph E. Schmitz
Gary Jackson
Bill Mathews
Industry Government contracting
Subsidiaries Blackwater vehicles
Website blackwaterusa.com

Blackwater Worldwide is a private military company and security firm founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark. It has alternatively been referred to as a mercenary organization by numerous reports in the international media,[2][3][4][5][6] and has a wide array of business divisions, subidiaries, and spin-off corporations.

Contents

[edit] Corporate structure

Blackwater Worldwide consists of nine business units:

[edit] Blackwater Training Center

Blackwater Training Center offers tactics and weapons training to military, government, and law enforcement agencies. Blackwater Training Center also offers several open-enrollment courses periodically throughout the year, from hand to hand combat (executive course) to precision rifle marksmanship. They also offer courses in tactical and off road driving.[7]

Blackwater's primary training facility, located on 7,000 acres (28 km²) in northeastern North Carolina, comprises several ranges, indoor, outdoor, urban reproductions, a man-made lake, and a driving track in Camden and Currituck counties. Company literature says that it is the largest training facility in the country. In November 2006 Blackwater USA announced it recently acquired an 80-acre (30 ha) facility 150 miles (240 km) west of Chicago, in Mount Carroll, Illinois to be called Blackwater North. That facility has been operational since April 2007 and serves law enforcement agencies throughout the midwest. Blackwater is also trying to open an 824-acre training facility three miles north of Potrero, a small town in rural east San Diego County, California located 45 miles east of San Diego, for military and law enforcement training.[8][9][10][11][12] The opening has faced heavy opposition from local residents, residents of nearby San Diego, a local Congressmember Bob Filner, and environmental and anti-war organizations. Opposition focused on a potential for wildfire increases, the proposed facility's proximity to the Cleveland National Forest, noise pollution, and opposition to the actions of Blackwater in Iraq.[13][14]. In response, Brian Bonfiglio, project manager for Blackwater West, said "There will be no explosives training and no tracer ammunition. Lead bullets don't start fires." In October 2007, when wildfires swept through the area, Blackwater made at least three deliveries of food, water, personal hygiene products and generator fuel to 300 residents near the proposed training site, many of whom had been trapped for days without supplies. They also set up a "tent city" for evacuees.[15]

[edit] Blackwater Target Systems

This division provides and maintains target range steel targets and a "shoothouse" system.[16]

Blackwater MD-530F over Republican Palace, Baghdad
Blackwater MD-530F over Republican Palace, Baghdad

[edit] Blackwater Security Consulting

Main article: Blackwater Security Consulting

Blackwater Security Consulting (BSC) was formed in 2001, and based in Moyock, North Carolina. BSC is one of the private security firms employed during the Iraq War to guard officials and installations, train Iraq's new Army and Police, and provide other support for Coalition Forces.[17]

Blackwater on a U.S. State Department detail at the Republican Palace in Baghdad
Blackwater on a U.S. State Department detail at the Republican Palace in Baghdad

Its primary public contract is from the U.S. State Department under the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Worldwide Personal Protective Services (WPPS) and WPPS II umbrella contracts, along with DynCorp International and Triple Canopy, Inc. for protective services in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Israel.[18] [19] Blackwater's responsibilities include the United States embassy in Iraq.[20]

Blackwater Security is also now pursuing domestic work as disaster relief workers, following their Katrina response. Blackwater officials have met with Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss earthquake response services.[21]

[edit] Blackwater K-9

Training canines to work in patrol capacities as war dogs, explosives and drug detection, and various other roles for military and law enforcement duties.

[edit] Blackwater Airships, LLC

Blackwater Airships LLC was established in January 2006 to build a remotely piloted airship vehicle (RPAV).[22]

[edit] Blackwater Armored Vehicle

Blackwater recently introduced its own armored personnel carrier, the Grizzly APC.[23]

[edit] Blackwater Maritime Solutions

Blackwater Maritime Security Services offers tactical training for maritime force protection units. In the past it has trained Greek security forces for the 2004 Olympics, Azerbaijan Naval Sea Commandos, and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior.[24] Blackwater's facilities include a manmade lake, with stacked containers simulating the hull and deck of a ship for maritime assaults. Blackwater received a contract to train United States Navy sailors following the attack on the USS Cole. [25]

It has also recently purchased a 183ft vessel, the McArthur, which has been outfitted for disaster response and training.[26] According to Blackwater USA, it features "state of the art navigation systems, full GMDSS communications, SEATEL Broadband, dedicated command and control bays, helicopter decks, hospital and multiple support vessel capabilities."[27] The McArthur was built in 1966 by the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. and served as a research vessel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration until its decommissioning in 2003. The ship will be home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia.[28]

[edit] Raven Development Group

The Raven Development Group is a construction management and management subsidiary. It was established in 1999 to design and build Blackwater Worldwide's training facility in North Carolina.

Blackwater CASA 212 over Afghanistan dropping supplies to U.S. Army troops
Blackwater CASA 212 over Afghanistan dropping supplies to U.S. Army troops

[edit] Aviation Worldwide Services

Main article: Presidential Airways (charter)

Aviation Worldwide Services (AWS) was founded by Richard Pere and Tim Childrey, and is based Melbourne, Florida, USA. It owns and operates three subsidiaries: STI Aviation, Inc. Air Quest, Inc. and Presidential Airways, Inc. In April 2003 it was acquired by Blackwater USA.[29]

Presidential Airways (PAW) is an FAA Part 135 charter cargo and passenger airline based at Melbourne International Airport. It operates aircraft owned by AWS. Presidential Airways holds a Secret Facility Clearance from the U.S. Department of Defense.[30] It operates several CASA 212 aircraft in addition to a Boeing 767.[31] [32] Several of the MD-530 helicopters used by Blackwater Security Consulting in Iraq are also operated through AWS.[33][34]

CASA C.212 Safety Card on a Presidential Airways flight over Afghanistan in October 2005
CASA C.212 Safety Card on a Presidential Airways flight over Afghanistan in October 2005

AWS also appears to provide services to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, as three of its aircraft, with tail numbers N962BW, N964BW, and N968BW, have flown into its Camp Peary facility.[35][36][37][38] Its aircraft have also been used in the CIA's extraordinary rendition programs.[39][40] Blackwater also operates an airport at its Moyock, North Carolina facility, called Blackwater Airstrip Airport (NC61).[41] The listed owner is E&J Holdings LLC.[42]

A CASA 212 aircraft, tail number N960BW, operated by Presidential Airways crashed on November 27, 2004 in Afghanistan; it had been a contract flight for the United States Air Force en route from Bagram to Farah.[43] All aboard, three soldiers and three civilian crew members, were killed. Several of their survivors filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Presidential in October 2005.[44]

In late September 2007, Presidential Airways received a $92m contract from the Department of Defense for air transportation in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.[45][46]

STI Aviation focuses on aircraft maintenance, and is a FAA/JAA 145 repair station.[47] They specialize in Short 360, EMB 120, Saab 340, and CASA 212 maintenance. As of January 2008, STI Aviation appears to have been folded into AWS, along with Air Quest.[48]

Many of Blackwater's tactical and training aircraft are registered to Blackwater affiliate EP Aviation LLC, named for Blackwater's owner, Erik Prince.[49] These aircraft include 14 Bell 412 helicopters, 3 Hughes/MD 369 "Little Bird" helicopters, 4 Bell 214ST medium-lift helicopters, 3 Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner turboprop airliners, 2 Aérospatiale Puma utility helicopters, a Maule Air MT-7-235 STOL aircraft, an Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft, and a Mooney M20E fixed wing aircraft.[50]

[edit] Greystone Limited

A private security service, Greystone is registered in Barbados, and employs third country nationals for offshore security work through its affiliate Satelles Solutions, Inc.[51] Their web site advertises their ability to provide "personnel from the best militaries throughout the world" for world-wide deployment. Tasks can be from very small scale up major operations to "facilitate large scale stability operations requiring large numbers of people to assist in securing a region". [52]

Greystone had planned to open a training facility on the grounds of the Subic Bay Naval Base, but those plans were later abandoned.[53]


[edit] Gallery

Blackwater MD-530F aids in securing the site of a car bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, December, 2004.

Blackwater MD-530F

Blackwater on a U.S. State Department detail in Baghdad

Paul Bremer escorted by Blackwater Security

[edit] References

  1. ^ House Oversight Committee record of Blackwater USA contracts for Iraq security services.
  2. ^ Sunday Herald, Scotland, "BACK IN IRAQ: THE 'WHORES OF WAR'", October 2, 2007.
  3. ^ Jeremey Scahill, The Nation, "Will Blackwater Be Kicked Out of Iraq After Recent Bloodbath?", September 28, 2007.
  4. ^ David Swanson, Scoop New Zealand, "Observing Our Government Through Blackwater", September 29, 2007.
  5. ^ Ian Bruce, The Herald, London, "Blackwater uses armed force ‘twice as often as other Iraq firms’", September 28, 2007.
  6. ^ Tehran Times, "Blackwater admits employees illegally sold weapons", September 23, 2007.
  7. ^ Blackwater tactical driving track. Blackwater USA. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  8. ^ "Locals Against Training Camp In East County", 10News.com, 2007-05-12. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  9. ^ R. J. Hillhouse. "Exclusive Interview: Blackwater USA's President Gary Jackson", The Spy Who Billed Me, 2007-04-26. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  10. ^ Bauder, Don. "Tiny Potrero Battles County and Blackwater USA", San Diego Reader, 2007-02-27. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  11. ^ Van Deerlin, Lionel. "Blackwater in Potrero?", 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  12. ^ Bauder, Don. "Tiny Potrero Battles County and Blackwater USA", San Diego Reader, 2007-02-02. Retrieved on 2007-12-12. 
  13. ^ "Blackwater Plans for New Military Facility Near San Diego Draws Fire From Residents, Peace Activists and Local Congressmember", Democracy Now!, 2004-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-12. 
  14. ^ Khan, Carrie. "Blackwater's San Diego-Area Plan Spurs Protest", National Public Radio, 2007-10-09. Retrieved on 2007-12-30. 
  15. ^ Sizemore, Bill. "Blackwater delivers supplies to wildfire victims in California", The Virginian-Pilot, 2007-10-26. Retrieved on 2007-12-30. 
  16. ^ Blackwater target systems. Blackwater USA. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  17. ^ Role of security companies likely to become more visible
  18. ^ Private Security Contractors in Iraq: Background, Legal Status, and Other Issues
  19. ^ http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071001121609.pdf
  20. ^ Video BLACKWATER MERCS IN IRAQ - BLACKWATER, MERCS, IN, IRAQ, MERCENARIES - Dailymotion Share Your Videos
  21. ^ Blackwater: New Horizons | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
  22. ^ "Security Firms Try To Evolve Beyond The Battlefield", The Washington Post, January 17, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-27. 
  23. ^ Blackwater armored vehicle. Blackwater USA. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  24. ^ Blackwater training center. Blackwater USA. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  25. ^ Scahill, Jeremy (April 13 2007). Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Media Mouse. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  26. ^ Blackwater Hits the High Seas | Danger Room from Wired.com
  27. ^ Blackwater Hits the High Seas | Danger Room from Wired.com
  28. ^ Blackwater showing off new training ship at Nauticus | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
  29. ^ Blackwater USA Completes Acquisition of Aviation Worldwide Services
  30. ^ Cherbonnier, Alice. "Blackwater Reveals Underpinnings of 'Private Security' Industry", Baltimore Chronicle, March 26, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  31. ^ Hemingway, Mark. "Warriors for Hire", The Weekly Standard, 12/18/2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-28. 
  32. ^ Blackwater aviation. Blackwater USA. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  33. ^ Blackwater Aviation News
  34. ^ Name Results
  35. ^ N-Number Results
  36. ^ FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > History > N964BW
  37. ^ FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > History > N962BW
  38. ^ FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > History > N968BW
  39. ^ http://media.argentina.indymedia.org/uploads/2006/04/cia_newlist_cropjpg9.jpg
  40. ^ Here are NAMES in CIA Flights, Front-companies, Rendition Story! : Argentina Indymedia (( i ))
  41. ^ FAA Information about Blackwater Airstrip Airport (NC61)
  42. ^ FAA Information about Blackwater Airstrip Airport (NC61)
  43. ^ Broward-Palm Beach - News - Err America
  44. ^ Wilber, "A Crash's Echoes", Washington Post, October 17, 2007.
  45. ^ Think Progress » Pentagon Issues Blackwater New $92 Million Contract
  46. ^ Pentagon Gives Blackwater New Contract - by Ali Gharib
  47. ^ Blackwater USA Completes Acquisition of Aviation Worldwide Services
  48. ^ Blackwater USA
  49. ^ Blackwater Bulks Up Air Power Using Little-Known Company | Danger Room from Wired.com
  50. ^ Name Results
  51. ^ Sun.Star Manila - Senator to look into mercenary list-up, exercises in Subic
  52. ^ Sun.Star Manila - Senator to look into mercenary list-up, exercises in Subic
  53. ^ Virginian-Pilot Archives

[edit] External links and references

"Licensed to Kill, Hired Guns in the War on Terror" by Robert Young Pelton (Crown). The history and evolution of private military companies from the dirty wars in Laos to the War on Terror to the failed coup attempt in Iraq. Features exclusive interviews with Erik Prince and observations from time on the ground with Blackwater and Greystone.

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Articles about or related to Blackwater Worldwide
Main:
Blackwater Worldwide • Blackwater Worldwide businesses • Blackwater Security Consulting • Greystone Limited
Executives:
Erik Prince (Owner, founder) • Cofer Black • Joseph E. Schmitz
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