Deadly Security for Blackwater

On September 16, 2007, Blackwater security teams were stationed at Nisour Square in Western Baghdad to secure an intersection a nearby diplomat would be traveling soon. Before the diplomat, in a three-SUV convoy can enter the square, a Blackwater gunner begans firing on a white sedan as it approached. Reportedly the car contained a family including a mother with an infant, and a student who was driving. Blackwater, under combat operations, provide mobile security with trucks with machine guns mounted on top. The gunner continued to fire at the vehicle which kept approaching, apparently the driver was atop the accelerator. Other gunners joined in and civilians near the car were killed and wounded.

Blackwater testified recently that an internal conflict began at this point, when another team member began to shout for a cease fire, repeatedly yet the first gunner continued fire. Airborne guns from small helicopters above began to fire on ground positions, killing more civilians. At some point in the melee a Blackwater guard pointed his weapon on the shooting gunner and demanded he stop firing.

Blackwater is a security firm based in Washington, D.C. whose members are largely ex-military from elite units within: Navy Seals, Rangers and Special Forces. Blackwater provides security to targets of opportunity for enemy forces, some American diplomats, some from other countries. Even in extreme circumstances, the security team is urged to fire only in defense and when attacked, and to use restraint. Glaringly, there is no established oversight involved with security firms in war zones.

When the initial fire hit the sedan, and it kept rolling towards their position, other units joined in fire, but apparently nearby civilians on foot and other vehicles received fire. When the second team member called a cease fire and the fire wouldn’t stop, he did the right thing and placed the team member under arrest, and would have used deadly force if necessary. Area fire, both ground and air was under-justified: tighter control of the team should have been maintained with communications.

Unfortunately it seems Blackwater has a systemic problem with out of control personnel up to and including management, with one principle involved with developing scandal.

We’ve been hearing that firms like Blackwater are needed to fulfill missions like this in which combat security may be needed. It’s a mission most army units aren’t trained or equipped to do, and those who are qualified are in short supply and already in use as they are best utilized. Yet hundreds of such missions are carried out each day all over the world where an American target moves about and carries out his duties. The Diplomatic Security Service is the primary escorts of our top chain of command, but the DSS is not a large unit and many American interests need to move and operate as well.

This type of security firm is necessary in today’s combat theatre, and unless they are properly accounted for, they will suffer under bad leadership, and vague rules of engagement. For the unforgivable crime of murder, even in a war scenario, if there is no oversight, then there is no punishment and no justice.