Comments on: Airing Now - Texas Fred Takes On AP Contractors Story https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/ Eventually, I learned the joys of killing. But I’m skipping ahead of myself. I landed in Iraq in November 2004 armed with a video camera instead of a weapon... Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:35:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Dan (The Infidel) https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35905 Dan (The Infidel) Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:13:55 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35905 600 Mercs put down two rebellions in Africa..and got kicked out because of the UN and BC. Mercs are an important asset to the GWOT...Get used to seeing them. And in the case of Africa they were more effective than 16,000 wimpy ROE-infested UN peacekeepers. In a war zone, you need all the friendly "guns" that you can get watching your back. 600 Mercs put down two rebellions in Africa..and got kicked out because of the UN and BC. Mercs are an important asset to the GWOT…Get used to seeing them. And in the case of Africa they were more effective than 16,000 wimpy ROE-infested UN peacekeepers.

In a war zone, you need all the friendly “guns” that you can get watching your back.

]]> By: Kelson Stewart https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35933 Kelson Stewart Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:40:31 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35933 /me waves goodbye to the Mercs. In my opinion they shouldn't even be allowed in the country. That is why we have the Military. Not stick a bunch of poorly trained guys in there with a bunch of big guns and trucks. "it would be fought much more efficiently if the U.S. government got out of it and let those not so politically correct take care of business as it should be…" Does that piss anybody else off? /me waves goodbye to the Mercs.

In my opinion they shouldn’t even be allowed in the country. That is why we have the Military.

Not stick a bunch of poorly trained guys in there with a bunch of big guns and trucks.

“it would be fought much more efficiently if the U.S. government got out of it and let those not so politically correct take care of business as it should be…”

Does that piss anybody else off?

]]> By: Mike M https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35938 Mike M Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:01:34 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35938 I support any and every military that "takes the gloves off" and leaves them off. Radical Muslim have fought without gloves from the beginning. The PC has to die. I support any and every military that “takes the gloves off” and leaves them off. Radical Muslim have fought without gloves from the beginning. The PC has to die.

]]> By: ArleighB https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35980 ArleighB Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:02:56 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35980 I worked 'Nam as a merc,if you want to call it that,in a technical field,yes I was armed,everybody was.Had a number of close calls,Danang,Phu Bai/Hue during Tet in '68. All wars have contractors to provide expertise/labor in areas where they may be deficient. From '65 to '75 there were approx.300,000 contractors employed in 'Nam.I feel I provided a valuable service to the US military and have many friends from that time. As a Navy,Nasa Veteran I had the training and clearances required. I worked ‘Nam as a merc,if you want to call it that,in a technical field,yes I was armed,everybody was.Had a number of close calls,Danang,Phu Bai/Hue during Tet in ‘68. All wars have contractors to provide expertise/labor in areas where they may be deficient.
From ‘65 to ‘75 there were approx.300,000 contractors employed in ‘Nam.I feel I provided a valuable service to the US military and have many friends from that time. As a Navy,Nasa Veteran I had the training and clearances required.

]]> By: TexasFred https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35983 TexasFred Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:18:54 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-35983 <blockquote>Does that piss anybody else off?</blockquote> Apparently not, tell me, why does it piss you off??

Does that piss anybody else off?

Apparently not, tell me, why does it piss you off??

]]> By: Roger T https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36034 Roger T Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:38:15 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36034 Not having been to Iraq I cannot comment on how contractors operate in that theater. However from my experience in Afghanistan, all of us there actually fall under UCMJ authority. I am only assuming that the same can be said for contractors in Iraq. Like most MSM reporting it seems as if the the article was intended to inflame the masses that unchecked and unregulated "mercenaries" are running rampant in Iraq. Just my opinion. Not having been to Iraq I cannot comment on how contractors operate in that theater. However from my experience in Afghanistan, all of us there actually fall under UCMJ authority. I am only assuming that the same can be said for contractors in Iraq. Like most MSM reporting it seems as if the the article was intended to inflame the masses that unchecked and unregulated “mercenaries” are running rampant in Iraq. Just my opinion.

]]> By: RJI https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36038 RJI Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:44:05 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36038 Private Security Contractors are not Mercenaries. Mercenaries fight for anyone who will pay them i.e. if the enemy "out bid" the US, Iraq or Afghanistan's government or a private entity then a "mercenary" would gladly work for them, this is not the case for a "private security contractor". Most private security contractors are just that "under contract" so they pay for(equipment, insurance, transportation etc. etc.)i.e. all of the costs of doing business. Because of these costs the amount they are paid must be more than a US military person whose compensation includes medical, retirement, life insurance, burial, dependents health care housing and other allowances and priviledges etc.etc. Security contracts are for specific services not random killing or indiscriminate use of force. These acts are illegal and bad for business and not the focus of legitimate private security contractors. Private security contractors can only gain access to the country they will perform services for or in via the host nations embassy or the liberating powers authority. Private Security Contractors are not Mercenaries. Mercenaries fight for anyone who will pay them i.e. if the enemy “out bid” the US, Iraq or Afghanistan’s government or a private entity then a “mercenary” would gladly work for them, this is not the case for a “private security contractor”. Most private security contractors are just that “under contract” so they pay for(equipment, insurance, transportation etc. etc.)i.e. all of the costs of doing business. Because of these costs the amount they are paid must be more than a US military person whose compensation includes medical, retirement, life insurance, burial, dependents health care housing and other allowances and priviledges etc.etc. Security contracts are for specific services not random killing or indiscriminate use of force. These acts are illegal and bad for business and not the focus of legitimate private security contractors. Private security contractors can only gain access to the country they will perform services for or in via the host nations embassy or the liberating powers authority.

]]> By: Josh https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36049 Josh Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:45:57 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36049 I am and have been doing PSD in al anbar for 2 years now. We do fall under the UCMJ and we do fill out reports after every contact we are in. Also everyone here is prior Marines or Special Forces. I would also like to add that those heavly armored vehicles dont tend to react so well to car bombs. The cars following to closely that you might have seen somewhere are all given the same warnings as the military gives to everyone else on the road. I am and have been doing PSD in al anbar for 2 years now. We do fall under the UCMJ and we do fill out reports after every contact we are in. Also everyone here is prior Marines or Special Forces.
I would also like to add that those heavly armored vehicles dont tend to react so well to car bombs. The cars following to closely that you might have seen somewhere are all given the same warnings as the military gives to everyone else on the road.

]]> By: Dan (The Infidel) https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36187 Dan (The Infidel) Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:03:54 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36187 Kelson Stewart: The mercs that I was referring to are all ex-service members. Many of whom were US SOF, Brit SOF, and French SOF, and SA SOF. All highly skilled people. I have several friends who are contractors in Iraq...all of them are ex-senior military officers...some Marines, some Army. All are excellent shots. So what exactly is your beef? Kelson Stewart:

The mercs that I was referring to are all ex-service members. Many of whom were US SOF, Brit SOF, and French SOF, and SA SOF. All highly skilled people.

I have several friends who are contractors in Iraq…all of them are ex-senior military officers…some Marines, some Army. All are excellent shots.

So what exactly is your beef?

]]> By: Grumpy https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36193 Grumpy Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:40:14 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36193 It is a shame that the Mil can't seem to wipe its' own ass these days. But, until that changes, we will have to hire people to do it for us. It is a shame that the Mil can’t seem to wipe its’ own ass these days. But, until that changes, we will have to hire people to do it for us.

]]> By: dogbert41 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36236 dogbert41 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:20:17 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36236 I've been forwarded the daily journals of a Blackwater contractor from my city. If even half of what he writes is true, and I have no reason to doubt any of it, they earn the money they make in spades. AND there are scores and scores of rescued hostages that would take great umbrance with anyone that degrades their rescuers. There are also scores and scores of dead insurgants and Alqueda because of these guys, and the Iraqis the operators train. And there are lots and lots of Iraqis and foreign dignitaries alive because of their protection services. These aren't your soldier want-to-bees. They are your top anti-terrorism professionals that are trained to peak perfection, the modern day Spartans, that put their necks out in some really scary places, and they don't have a calvary coming when the shit hits the fan. Think of it this way: whose going to pay that kind of money for a bunch of dickheads who can simply carry a rifle when the country in question has a few million of them lying around waiting for work? Nobody, of course. Those contractors are the best of the best. I’ve been forwarded the daily journals of a Blackwater contractor from my city. If even half of what he writes is true, and I have no reason to doubt any of it, they earn the money they make in spades. AND there are scores and scores of rescued hostages that would take great umbrance with anyone that degrades their rescuers.

There are also scores and scores of dead insurgants and Alqueda because of these guys, and the Iraqis the operators train. And there are lots and lots of Iraqis and foreign dignitaries alive because of their protection services.

These aren’t your soldier want-to-bees. They are your top anti-terrorism professionals that are trained to peak perfection, the modern day Spartans, that put their necks out in some really scary places, and they don’t have a calvary coming when the shit hits the fan.

Think of it this way: whose going to pay that kind of money for a bunch of dickheads who can simply carry a rifle when the country in question has a few million of them lying around waiting for work? Nobody, of course. Those contractors are the best of the best.

]]> By: TexasFred https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36383 TexasFred Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:00:38 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36383 <blockquote>RJI Private Security Contractors are not Mercenaries. Mercenaries fight for anyone who will pay them i.e. if the enemy “out bid” the US, Iraq or Afghanistan’s government or a private entity then a “mercenary” would gladly work for them, this is not the case for a “private security contractor”. Most private security contractors are just that “under contract” so they pay for(equipment, insurance, transportation etc. etc.)i.e. all of the costs of doing business. Because of these costs the amount they are paid must be more than a US military person whose compensation includes medical, retirement, life insurance, burial, dependents health care housing and other allowances and priviledges etc.etc. Security contracts are for specific services not random killing or indiscriminate use of force. These acts are illegal and bad for business and not the focus of legitimate private security contractors. Private security contractors can only gain access to the country they will perform services for or in via the host nations embassy or the liberating powers authority.</blockquote> ROFLMFAO.... :mrgreen: Let me tell you something pal, the guys at Blackwater will go where the money is, that's WHY they're private contractors... Scruples has little to do with it, Iraq is the cash box right now, that's all... And I did say there are 'some' rules, but their interpretation is rather loose most of the time, private security guys do whatever it takes to get the job done, PERIOD...

RJI

Private Security Contractors are not Mercenaries. Mercenaries fight for anyone who will pay them i.e. if the enemy “out bid” the US, Iraq or Afghanistan’s government or a private entity then a “mercenary” would gladly work for them, this is not the case for a “private security contractor”. Most private security contractors are just that “under contract” so they pay for(equipment, insurance, transportation etc. etc.)i.e. all of the costs of doing business. Because of these costs the amount they are paid must be more than a US military person whose compensation includes medical, retirement, life insurance, burial, dependents health care housing and other allowances and priviledges etc.etc. Security contracts are for specific services not random killing or indiscriminate use of force. These acts are illegal and bad for business and not the focus of legitimate private security contractors. Private security contractors can only gain access to the country they will perform services for or in via the host nations embassy or the liberating powers authority.

ROFLMFAO…. :mrgreen:

Let me tell you something pal, the guys at Blackwater will go where the money is, that’s WHY they’re private contractors… Scruples has little to do with it, Iraq is the cash box right now, that’s all…

And I did say there are ’some’ rules, but their interpretation is rather loose most of the time, private security guys do whatever it takes to get the job done, PERIOD…

]]> By: TexasFred https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36386 TexasFred Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:06:03 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36386 Hey Dan (The Infidel), I think Kelson was a 'drive by bleeding heart', I doubt there will be a response, and like you, all the guys I know in business in Iraq are former Marines, higher ranking NCO's and Officers, or ex-SF guys, and a few retired spooks, and yes, these guys ARE professionals, but they will go apeshit fucking nuts all over some raghead in less time than it takes to tell about it... Some folks need a solid version of reality to slap 'em in the face every once in a while, and I'd slap Kelson, but shit splatters and I ain't cleaning up Pat's blog... :mrgreen: Hey Dan (The Infidel), I think Kelson was a ‘drive by bleeding heart’, I doubt there will be a response, and like you, all the guys I know in business in Iraq are former Marines, higher ranking NCO’s and Officers, or ex-SF guys, and a few retired spooks, and yes, these guys ARE professionals, but they will go apeshit fucking nuts all over some raghead in less time than it takes to tell about it…

Some folks need a solid version of reality to slap ‘em in the face every once in a while, and I’d slap Kelson, but shit splatters and I ain’t cleaning up Pat’s blog… :mrgreen:

]]> By: Dan (The Infidel) https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36538 Dan (The Infidel) Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:26:07 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36538 T.F: LOL. Yeppirs. Most of the guys I was referring to all work for Blackwater. And ALL of them are ex-military high speed types. I wouldn't fuck with them. I'd like to see ol Kelson say his shit to one of their faces. Guarantee he won't do it no more. Them boys take their jobs mighty serious-like... And if they won't take no shit from AQI or the Mook-monster...ol Kelson here wouldn't have a prayer. He's all hat and no cow. T.F:

LOL. Yeppirs. Most of the guys I was referring to all work for Blackwater. And ALL of them are ex-military high speed types. I wouldn’t fuck with them. I’d like to see ol Kelson say his shit to one of their faces. Guarantee he won’t do it no more. Them boys take their jobs mighty serious-like…
And if they won’t take no shit from AQI or the Mook-monster…ol Kelson here wouldn’t have a prayer. He’s all hat and no cow.

]]> By: France the retour https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36718 France the retour Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:38:09 +0000 https://pat-dollard.com/2007/08/14/airing-now-texas-fred-takes-on-ap-contractors-story/#comment-36718 I have read something about these private contractors ; former legionnaires were recruited for Irak through their officines too ; they do advertising on our papers ; mercs were used in lots of african countries and still are. we had a few scandals with some of them I have read something about these private contractors ; former legionnaires were recruited for Irak through their officines too ; they do advertising on our papers ; mercs were used in lots of african countries and still are.

we had a few scandals with some of them

]]>