Coming To A State Near You: Blackwater Air Force

[donsu]

http://www.declineandfall.net/2007/08/coming-to-state-near-you-blackwater-air.html


As if having them run around Iraq like loose cannons wasn't bad enough, Blackwater is building an Air Force. Via Scholars & Rogues:

Security company Blackwater U.S.A. is buying Super Tucano light combat aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. These five ton, single engine, single seat aircraft are built for pilot training, but also perform quite well for counter-insurgency work.... The bubble canopy provides excellent visibility. This, coupled with its slow speed (versus jets), makes it an excellent ground attack aircraft.

-snip-

Blackwater's been in negotiations with several state governments in the United States. Blackwater met recently with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger about doing disaster response in California. They're opening up a new private military base in San Diego. Another one is in Mount Carroll, Illinois. They have applied for operating licenses in every coastal U.S. state.


That's right, folks: the U.S. military whose expenditures are almost half of the total military spending worldwide needs private military bases in the United States for some reason.

What might that reason be? Perhaps it has something to do with National Security Presidential Directive NSPD-51, which lays out exactly how the Executive Branch would run the entire government in the event of a "Catastrophic Emergency," which could be anything from a terrorist attack to the next Katrina, as far as the ambiguous wording of the directive is concerned:

-snip-
------------------------

america is dead

is there a blackwater in your life?

there will be violence

[ChicagoRonin]

1. Bright lining to the dark cloud

If Iraq and Afghanistan are any representation of Blackwater's competence, then we do not have a lot to fear from any attempted takeover they might be involved in. From what I can tell, they're basically mercenaries. The difference between mercenaries and soldiers is that they must be paid, and paid well. They'd ultimately prove too expensive and unreliable as a tool of enforcement.

Not to mention, they don't seem to be doing a very good job of helping quell the sectarian violence in Iraq.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. These Mercs are not incompetent

they come mostly from the SF community.

What they are not is stupid

They are not patrolling the strets, but doing high profile VIP protection and other gigs like that which are extremly well paid, and relatively low risk compared to grunts patrolling the streets

But they are mercenary scum... in that we both fully agree, but I would not say they are incompetent

[pepperbear]

7. .....which only matters if the end game is to win rather than line the pockets of...

Blackwater's shareholders. that's my cynicism and I'm sticking to it.

[MetaTrope]

9. Unless they're, you know, fueling the insurgency in Iraq

You hear these stories about Americans setting up the demolitions charges at mosques, and wonder...

[TomInTib]

23. You are so right and yet so wrong.

I am ex-SF and I will guarantee you that I could take any ten guys I know and raise total hell with any force of a hundred regular infantry.

Trouble with mercs in the ME is that all is chaos, they have not been trained for what they are doing. But don't doubt their inherent capabilities.

[Raster]

30. People also forget these aren't just ex-American SFs, these are mercenaries from

various sources, with varied nationalities, Foreign Legion, Salvadoran, etc. They owe absolutely NO ALLEGIANCE to Americans or the Constitution.

[TomInTib]

32. I had forgotten about that.

Now that must be interesting, language barrier and all.

And different operational strategies.

[entanglement]

64. And the South African mercs...highly trained, brutal and amoral

[colorado_ufo]

51. TomInTib, what is your comment on the original post?

[TomInTib]

57. I figure it is mostly recon.

Border surveillance and keeping an eye on civilian militia gatherings.

But those planes are ridiculously easy to knock down. A .50 caliber sniper rifle could do the trick.

The thing that really bothers me is that these people operate with no Congressional overview whatsoever.

[colorado_ufo]

71. I agree with your worry -

where is Congress!

[MADem]

3. Well, I gotta say, the USAF is the service MOST responsible for

these bullshit "Presentations to Congress" that baffled people with bullshit and increased military spending to obscene degrees. Before Power Point, before story boards, the USAF used to run these horseshit 'charts and graphs' lines of patter to convince the HASC and SASC to vote YES on their ill-conceived and expensive fripperies.

And now, they've been trumped by a private corporation. Their mighty days are done--they've got competition now. Serves 'em right.

[donsu]

4. interesting way to look at it

it's OK with you to have a blackwater in your life?

[MADem]

10. If you read the article, it's a long ass way from a couple of TRAINER aircraft

with Jetsons canopies to calling them an Air Force with heavy weapons delivery capability. Counter-insurgency isn't 'The bombing will commence in five minutes.' If they can do some work cheaper, great. The money saved in long term personnel costs can be shifted to the VA for all of the servicemembers that BushCo has maimed.

What is the difference, really, if Blackwater or the USAF do this shit? The USAF are the ones that bullied the Jews at the USAF Academy, and gave them lower grades for not being Evangelical Xtians. They're the ones that played BLAME THE VICTIM when females were raped there. They've nothing in THEIR resumes to inspire confidence, at least IMHO.

I hardly think having the Mormon-Evangelical USAF do this work instead of a bunch of fuckers who are 'employees at will' is any "better." And the oversight? Under the GOP, and prior to the D's getting committee control of the HASC/SASC, was so poor as to be laughable.

So really, what's the diff? And if there's a cost savings, to benefit wounded veterans, well, fine with me.

[donsu]

11. wow, a side to you I've never seen before

so surprised at you being pro blackwater.

do you own their stock?

[MADem]

59. What a fucking LEAP...

It's the USAF I have disdain for--you're EXTRAPOLATING like crazy, there.

It's frankly unbecoming--I take issue with the basic assertios of the story, and you're compelled to make a snarky "bet you own stock" type commet.

[lonestarnot]

18. There is plenty of fucking difference!

How would you like your pie in the camp?

[MADem]

66. Oh, please. Spare me the damned drama.

A couple of trainer aircraft is suddenly an air force....OK....

[bananas]

20. "If they can do some work cheaper, great." - Don't be so naive

"If they can do some work cheaper, great. The money saved in long term personnel costs can be shifted to the VA for all of the servicemembers that BushCo has maimed."

Yeah right. You really think that's going to happen? This is just another way to screw over the servicemembers.

[MADem]

67. A Democratic congress and ASCs can do that in the appropriations process.

And how is eliminating an iffy task "screwing over the servicemembers?"

You need to check the defense budget, and get a load of how many dollars actually go to total personnel costs (to include family support, medical, dental, housing,MWR, PCS, etc.). It adds up. I'm not naive--I've actually done the math.

[Fovea]

24. Well, to begin with, there is that small matter of an oath

to defend the constitution, as opposed to engrossing their paycheck.

And there is no UCMJ hanging over them, no matter how fecklessly it is currently enforced.

And that alone makes me think they have no business being our surrogate military, either domestic or foreign.

But YMMV.

[MADem]

65. Yeah,,,,we've seen, firsthhand, how well that's been working of late.

And as someone who labored for this country for decades under that very oath, I have some perspective.

[RaleighNCDUer]

29. What's the difference?

While the AF may be breaking the rules, at least they have them. With Blackwater, there are no rules.

As for the quality of the aircraft, the Mustangs and Corsairs and Messerschmits and Zeros and Hurricanes of WW2 did a quite adequate job of bombing and strafing. Similar aircraft were being used by the US in combat as recently as Vietnam, decades into the jet age.

They are being used, currently, in counter-insurgency operations in South America. It looks like they are planning for counter-insurgency operations in North America as well.

[MADem]

68. At least they have them....

Civilian contractors enjoy fewer protections under SOFA arrangements. Let them assume the risk, if that's what they want.

Those rules worked out real well at that Iraqi prison, didn't it. How many commissioned officers took the heat, there, hmmmmmm?

[redqueen]

58. What's the diff?

Seriously?

:o

[MADem]

69. Seriously. nt

[puebloknot]

63. And who regulates rogue mercenaries in the U.S.?

At least, on paper, the U.S. Air Force is subject to control by the Joint Chiefs.

[Richard D]

5. It's really simple and quite evil . . .

. . . mercenaries don't have to take an oath to uphold the constitution:

"I, {insert name here}, do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." (Note that the last sentence is not required to be said if the speaker has a personal or moral objection)

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. So help me god.

That's the part that Blackwater insists on. It's the constitution part that's optional for them.

[LondonReign2]

8. So am I to understand

that we have laws in this country regarding gun ownership, but it is perfectly OK to purchase combat aircraft? Can I also purchase, say, a howitzer? What about a SAM? Holy fuck....

[lonestarnot]

12. This is over the fucking top! Why not more recommends DUers?

K & R

[marmar]

15. Probably because it doesn't involve bathroom debauchery....

I gave it my K&R tho.....

[lonestarnot]

16. Thanking you on behalf of the OP marmar

[alfredo]

13. Here's a better picture of the craft

[marmar]

14. The marriage of corporation and state = fascism....

Is there even any doubt now? :scared:

[lonestarnot]

17. No damn doubt! No damn doubt!

not :scared: We need a warrior emoticon!

[stimbox]

25. Blackwater=SS

No doubt.

[bananas]

19. "Before SPP protests in Montebello cops engaged in a "manufactured fear" exercise"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1692849

[GreenInNC]

21. already here

I live in North Carolina, home of Blackwater

[Lugnut]

22. Is it fascism yet?

K&R

[KansDem]

26. It looks like they used Dick Cheney's image...

...for the nose art of those Super Tucano light combat aircraft.

[Raster]

27. I started a similar thread in Ed and Arts. Blase interest. Frankly,

THIS SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME! Private armies, Praetorian Guards, soldiers of fortune operating in the United States? This figures perfectly into cheney/bush*s M.O.--treat our military like crap, use them as cannon fodder and channel major funds to their war-mongering buddies. I also think it's an insurance policy for cheney/bush* and their corporatist masters. I think they know they cannot depend on the American Military to follow them into hell.

[quiet.american]

28. "Private military base"?!!! WTF? There should be NO place for that in this country! n/t

[wildbilln864]

31. Holy Shit! WTF is wrong with the people in this country?

This is unbelieveable! I heard a rumor that democracy was dead! Now I know it's true!

Democracy R.I.P.
1776-2000

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[shance]

33. Blackwater met recently with Arnold Schwarzenegger about "disaster response"?

Why would Arnold Schwarzenegger choose to meet with the private Mercenary firm Blackwater?

Very disturbing news to read.

[The Backlash Cometh]

34. No fucking way!

A private Air Force is being allowed in the US? Is that insane, or what?

[Sirveri]

35. Having actually been out to Moyock for 2 weeks myself...

I feel the need to comment on this thread.

While I was there I really came away with one single feeling. These are a bunch of gun nuts who like cool toys and like playing (or being) soldiers. The majority of people I saw training there were actually the regional area police forces. They have a stunning array of shoot houses to play in. I myself had quite a fun time there firing hundreds of sim rounds at other people I was with. Honestly most of their higher end hardware was actually not very impressive looking. A little dinky helicopter with a gatling gun attached to it, woo hoo. A good shot with a rifle could probably down the stupid thing, that's how rickety it looked. Watching the Army do fast drops with Blackhawks while Apache gunships provided cover was MUCH more impressive than the hardware I saw blackwater touting.

Basically it's a big training facility, that's pretty much all they do there. The pro shop is pretty nice too I guess.

[1776Forever]

40. President Eisenhower warned against in his farewell address - link

Democracy Now - Nations Magazine's Jeremy Schahill quote:


http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/11/1531232


JEREMY SCAHILL: Well, no. I mean, I think, first of all, Blackwater is a company that has very deep connections in US intelligence, in the military. It does indeed have political connections to the White House. I do think it also has -- it’s viewed, I think, in some official circles as being a very forward-thinking company that provides very innovative services. I think it's a combination of the political connections of the company and the kinds of services that it provides. Mr. Prince likes to refer to Blackwater as the Federal Express of the national security apparatus.

What I find concerning is the fact that not only is Mr. Prince a significant contributor to several of the campaign causes of Republicans who are in influential positions, particularly in the years of the Republican-controlled congress, as well as to the White House, but he has deep connections to some of the religious right organizations that have come to a position of prominence in this country. I think this is a company that embodies a lot of what President Eisenhower warned against in his farewell address in 1961.

[wildbilln864]

36. Kick! n/t

[ryanus]

37. 'bout time to fire up those state militias again

and I don't mean National Guard. I mean every male between the ages of 18 and 45.

[conscious evolution]

38. 'operating licenses in every coastal U.S. state.'

Is this to keep us from escaping by boat?

[OneBlueSky]

39. there oughta be a law . . . n/t

.

[cheddar99]

41. They have a lot to be

paranoid about. They have robbed the people, led them down a blind alley with no future. Of course they are worried about security, they have a guilty mind.

[AikidoSoul]

60. You are right... and welcome to DU N/T

[Blackhatjack]

42. Don't Miss The Point Here .... Private Military in the US is to control the US population

And while they are milking the Iraq and Afghanistan War for all the public funds they can stuff in their pockets, IMHO that is a drop in the bucket compared to the likely source of funding that the CIA has relied upon for decades --drug and arms sales on the black market.

They are paying unbelievable amounts to 'mercenaries' when compared to official US soldier compensation. They have the most modern equipment and armaments that our soldiers do not have. THey operate outside the US Military Code of Conduct, cannot be court-martialed and cannot be made to take orders from any military official.

If Blackwater is going to set up 'private military bases' inside the United States, how is that different from any of the hundreds of fringe militia groups that the Government claim are illegal and must be disbanded and destroyed?

I understand Blackwater was created by a rich religious fundamentalist. Do we really want to give that kind of power and access to a group created by an individual with an agenda?

[rabies1]

47. Remember - Blackwater came in to 'deal' with Katrina victims.

The stories about how they wouldn't let people cross a bridge to escape the catastrophe,
standing there with guns and telling people to go back?

[Divine Discontent]

50. and weren't several people SHOT on the bridge that day?

of course, at the time, I didn't know they were Blackwater mercs - can you imagine the gall of telling someone who's trying to escape a disaster that they have to STAY in it b/c they don't want you (blacks) coming up river b/c we cannot handle the influx of people (dark skinned) coming - - - damn. people cannot handle the truth - Jack Nicholson was right.

The truth will ultimately, though, set us FREE! Little by little we educate our friends and family and they educate their friends and they tell their families - but are we too late - this private air force crap is about the final straw, who the HELL do they think they are? HELLO CONGRESS!!!!

[rucognizant]

54. So why????????

Did I mark the Blackwater preventing people from leaving NO 2 years ago IN SPITE of the fact I only caught glimpses of the news in the nursing home where my son died on Sept 23 that year? What were YOU doing?
Pardon my cynicism, but it is lonely and gets very old when you get it before everyone else, get no credit, respect or extra pay for your ability. If more people had been out front here with me we would have dealt with this problem already!
In my lifetime the respect for wisdom has passed from my Father to my Grandchildren, skipping me entirely. WHo did it? The MSM of course!

[Javaman]

43. Ground troops, intelligence agency and now a growing airforce...

Hmmm, one would think that something is going on.

one would think...

[SpiralHawk]

44. Blackwater = Christofascist Praetorian Guard

The republicon Homelander so-called "Christians" can't wait to sic the FORCES OF EVIL on American citizens

Control and Domination is what the republicon Homelanders are all about

Why do republicons HATE America?

[Vilis Veritas]

45. The Culture War will not be fought in the Media...n/t

[paparush]

46. Oh, and don't forget that BW is owned and operated by Extreme Right Wing Christian Lunatics

Congress must act to curtail this. Free enterprise can only go so far.

[Vilis Veritas]

49. How big is your lobby?

If it ain't got the dough, Congress ain't going to go...

Peace.

The question was rhetorical...;-)

[needledriver]

48. Now I get it!

All those years "they" were not using black helicopters!

They were using Blackwater helicopters!

[windoe]

52. Please pass this on asap

Please know this as fact, and pass this on before this post disappears. I personally witnessed an antigravity disk breaking off a black helicopter, and the next time I saw one was right above my head in the middle east, silently floating about 15-20' above my head. I think it was not extraterrestrial but something retroengineered off crashed craft by us.
Please check out UFO Disclosure Project on youtube and watch the 13 part series if you haven't yet. I believe this to be significant information to have at this time, especially the high tech energy weaponry being used. Please know I am not crazy, was a hospital professional for 20 years.

[AikidoSoul]

61. Soooo Windoe.. how did you know it was an "anti-gravity disk"? N/T

[donsu]

73. you are not crazy

nt

[LeftHander]

53. A Attack plane for disaster work?

This looks like it could really "help" people in an emergency...probably a great platform for HellFire missiles and mini-guns...

[InternalDialogue]

55. Max Barry's "Jennifer Government" played with a scenario just like this.

Jennifer Government

From Publishers Weekly
The most unnerving thing about Max (formerly Maxx) Barry's new novel is that its hyperbolic vision of the not too distant future doesn't seem too far out there at all. The world is run by giant corporations who literally go to war with one another; Australia and the U.K. are annexes of the United States; the police are for sale to the highest bidder; and employees take the last name of their employers. Thus, the cast of characters includes John Nike, Georgia Saints Nike (she volunteers at the Church of Latter-Day Saints), Billy NRA, Buy Mitsui, Hayley McDonalds, and so forth. Jennifer Government, a former advertising executive turned government agent, is hot on the trail of the villainous John Nike for murder. As the mastermind of the latest Nike campaign, he planned the murder of 14 teenagers in order to build up the street reputation for Nike's new $2,500 sneaker, Mercurys.

[Alizaryn]

56. They have to be very confident

of future booming business to be spreading out and they get their mission and info directly from God and his only elected son Bush. THAT'S what terrifies me.

[conspirator]

62. What's next? Blackwater tactical nuclear weapons division? nt

[Elspeth]

70. kick

:kick:

[Richard D]

72. Kicking it

Just cause this seems so damn important. Why does BW need to train fighter pilots? Are these really for training or for "Homeland Security". WTF???