BW Air rescues Polish Ambassador from ambush

[504PIR]

Saw this today, while I still make fun of BW and often berate the company for a culture of arrogence, they do pull off a good one from time to time. Please keep in mind all WPPS (be they DSS or contractor) assets are under the control of the Embassy RSO, so the RSO directed the "BW little birds" were to assist the convoy. Contractors do not have 'carte blanch' to launch rescue opns on their own. People forget that these folks are under the Dept of State's chain of command.


Ambush Injures Polish Diplomat in Iraq
By KIM CURTIS

BAGHDAD (AP) — A daring ambush of bombs and gunfire left Poland's ambassador pinned down in a burning vehicle Wednesday before being pulled to safety and airlifted in a rescue mission by the embattled security firm Blackwater USA. At least three people were killed, including a Polish bodyguard.

The attack — apparently well planned in one of Baghdad's most secure neighborhoods — raised questions about whether it sought to punish Poland for its contributions to the U.S.-led military force in Iraq. But Poland's prime minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said his nation would not retreat "in the face of terrorists."

The diplomatic convoy was hit by three bombs and then attackers opened fire in the Shiite-controlled Karradah district. Polish guards returned fire as the injured ambassador, Gen. Edward Pietrzyk, was pulled from his burning vehicle. At least 10 people, including four Polish security agents, were wounded.

U.S. Embassy officials dispatched Blackwater helicopters to evacuate the ambassador and others. Blackwater was not involved in protecting the Polish convoy.

Pietrzyk, who was commander of ground forces in Poland before taking the ambassador post in April, suffered minor burns over 20 percent of his body, including his head and right arm and leg, said Polish Charge d'Affaires Waldemar Figaj.

"They were waiting for us," Figaj told The Associated Press as he gave details of the attack.

Shortly after the assault, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki renewed his government's offensive against Blackwater.

"There have been 190 victims of Blackwater ... The kind of accusations leveled against the company means it is not fit to work in Iraq," he told a news conference.

It was not known if al-Maliki knew Blackwater rescued the Polish envoy. It also was not clear if the 190 victims represented a new figure arising from an Iraqi investigation or a reference to the 195 incidents involving the U.S. security company outlined in a House report earlier this week.

Congress is looking into Blackwater's role in a Sept. 16 shootout that left 11 Iraqis dead in a west Baghdad intersection and other incidents by the Moyock, N.C.-based company, which protects U.S. diplomats and others in Iraq.

Diplomatic missions or foreign envoys in Iraq have been attacked at least seven times since the war began, including the July 2005 kidnapping and murder of Egypt's ambassador.

Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, contributed combat troops to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and has since led a multinational division south of Baghdad. About 900 Polish troops remain in the country training Iraqi personnel; 21 Poles have died during the conflict.

Last year, the Polish government extended its mission in Iraq until the end of 2007, but has made no decision on next year.

Pietrzyk was treated at the U.S. military hospital in the fortified Green Zone and later flown to Warsaw.

"He is going to be fine," Figaj said. "He is stable, but he needs rest."

Two Iraqi passers-by also were killed in the 10 a.m. blasts, according to an Iraqi police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

A Polish security guard, Bartosz Orzechowski, 29, died at the hospital, said Poland's Interior Minister Wladyslaw Stasiak. The slain guard had been employed by the service since 2004.

Robert Szaniawski, a spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry, said officials "don't have the reasons for the attack," which destroyed three armored vehicles just a few hundred yards from the Polish Embassy.

But Figaj noted that Poland is a "strong U.S. ally and you can make your own conclusions."

Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said officials planned to move the embassy into the Green Zone.

"Backing out in the face of terrorists is the worst possible solution and I trust that the Poles, who are a brave nation, will not desert the battle field," said Poland's prime minister, Kaczynski. "We must fight terrorism and that entails a certain risk."

U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, issued a joint statement condemning the attack.

"Poland has been a strong and steadfast ally here and around the world, and we commend its commitment to a stable and secure Iraq," the statement said. "We stand ready to provide any additional assistance we can."

American authorities confiscated an AP Television News videotape that contained scenes of the wounded being evacuated. U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl told AP that Iraqi law make it illegal to photograph or videotape the aftermath of bombings or other attacks

[Team Sergeant]

Saw this today, while I still make fun of BW and often berate the company for a culture of arrogence, they do pull off a good one from time to time. Please keep in mind all WPPS (be they DSS or contractor) assets are under the control of the Embassy RSO, so the RSO directed the "BW little birds" were to assist the convoy. Contractors do not have 'carte blanch' to launch rescue opns on their own. People forget that these folks are under the Dept of State's chain of command.



Thank you Cpt Obvious.

Is there anything else concerning US embassy operations you'd like to share with us? Or have you forgotten most Special Forces soldiers work directly with US embassies during their deployments, on a worldwide basis, its part of what we do.

Team Sergeant


EDIT to add:

Doesn't it make you wonder why the DSS/State Dept sent blackwater personnel to "rescue" the Polish Ambassador and not called the US military instead? Can you say "POLITICS". Another waste of my taxpayers money.

[82ndtrooper]

I may not be qualified to post in this thread, but as a taxpayer I'd like to see the billing from Blackwater for this particular operation.

As TS noted, military assets are perfectly capable a conducting an CSAR operation in theatre.

Was this move just another "cosmetic" operation in the wake of Erik Prince's testimony on Capital Hill ? Or where their ablsolutley no military assets available for such an operation ?

What are WE paying for Blackwaters rescources ?

[sf11b_p]

Report states the incident was located 200 yards from the Polish Embassy. Witnesses stated that Blackwater helicopters were evacuating casualties and providing security within ten minutes of the two (three) explosions.

[S3Project]

Thank you Cpt Obvious.

Is there anything else concerning US embassy operations you'd like to share with us? Or have you forgotten most Special Forces soldiers work directly with US embassies during their deployments, on a worldwide basis, its part of what we do.

Team Sergeant


EDIT to add:

Doesn't it make you wonder why the DSS/State Dept sent blackwater personnel to "rescue" the Polish Ambassador and not called the US military instead? Can you say "POLITICS". Another waste of my taxpayers money.

Team Sergeant,

Based on this video ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=6y8Q_ww7k2Q ), do you think the size of the landing zone would have made the operation for suitable for Blackwater's helicopters, as opposed to military Blackhawks? Or do you think this was not a factor?

Just speculating and wondering. Thank you!

Regards,

Derek

[Team Sergeant]

Team Sergeant,

Based on this video ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=6y8Q_ww7k2Q ), do you think the size of the landing zone would have made the operation for suitable for Blackwater's helicopters, as opposed to military Blackhawks? Or do you think this was not a factor?

Just speculating and wondering. Thank you!

Regards,

Derek

Having flown in both little birds and blackhawks, personally, I'd rather have been escorted out by US military vehicles driven by US military Soldiers or Marines.

(One bullet in the right place will knock down a little bird......)

Again, that blackwater "show" was pure politics.

Team Sergeant

[Ambush Master]

Having flown in both little birds and blackhawks, personally, I'd rather have been escorted out by US military vehicles driven by US military Soldiers or Marines.

(One bullet in the right place will knock down a little bird......)

Again, that blackwater "show" was pure politics.

Team Sergeant


Hell, a damned tarp or rug thrown off of a roof would Ball that thing up, literally!!!

[Guy]

BW Air (lil-birds) are outstanding! They've been doing that since they landed on the ground when I was there.;)

Stay safe.

[Frog]

BW Air (lil-birds) are outstanding! They've been doing that since they landed on the ground when I was there.;)

Stay safe.

+1 ---Since this is "your" site, I've kept quiet. In this case though, the BW bashing is not warranted. The BW pilots are mostly 160th guys, the very Army pilots we all love when it gets brown. I know a lot of them, like the guy who flew Kurt Muse out of Modelo prison and got seriously wounded. - he works for BW. They fly because they are wanted and needed, not because of politics. They are veterans like the rest of here. Patriotic Americans. And I guarantee it IS about finding another way to keep serving after you retire and not about making money. You spend 30 years defending the country and find a way to keep serving - that's what you know. That's what you still want to do.
In this case they were readily available and the mil forces were not. It was a "I need it now" not, "let's think about making a political statement" situation. And yes I have accurate information, not what you read in the press.

Team SGT, why do you hate BW so much? I really have a hard time understanding your point of view.

[Team Sergeant]

+1 ---Since this is "your" site, I've kept quiet. In this case though, the BW bashing is not warranted. The BW pilots are mostly 160th guys, the very Army pilots we all love when it gets brown. I know a lot of them, like the guy who flew Kurt Muse out of Modelo prison and got seriously wounded. - he works for BW. They fly because they are wanted and needed, not because of politics. They are veterans like the rest of here. Patriotic Americans. And I guarantee it IS about finding another way to keep serving after you retire and not about making money. You spend 30 years defending the country and find a way to keep serving - that's what you know. That's what you still want to do.
In this case they were readily available and the mil forces were not. It was a "I need it now" not, "let's think about making a political statement" situation. And yes I have accurate information, not what you read in the press.

Team SGT, why do you hate BW so much? I really have a hard time understanding your point of view.


LOL, I'm more than happy to answer your question, tomorrow.

(I've got nothing against SEALS, just erik.)

Team Sergeant

[Team Sergeant]

+1 ---Since this is "your" site, I've kept quiet. In this case though, the BW bashing is not warranted. The BW pilots are mostly 160th guys, the very Army pilots we all love when it gets brown. I know a lot of them, like the guy who flew Kurt Muse out of Modelo prison and got seriously wounded. - he works for BW. They fly because they are wanted and needed, not because of politics. They are veterans like the rest of here. Patriotic Americans. And I guarantee it IS about finding another way to keep serving after you retire and not about making money. You spend 30 years defending the country and find a way to keep serving - that's what you know. That's what you still want to do.
In this case they were readily available and the mil forces were not. It was a "I need it now" not, "let's think about making a political statement" situation. And yes I have accurate information, not what you read in the press.

Team SGT, why do you hate BW so much? I really have a hard time understanding your point of view.

Let me attempt to facilitate a better understanding of how I view erik prince and blackwater.

First and foremost I believe erik prince’s education is being paid for in the blood of great Americans.

I believe blackwater’s amateur and gross mismanagement directly cost the lives of those four good men that were killed, mutilated and hung from the bridge that faithful day.
I know many in the United States Military were also killed and maimed as a direct result of that blackwater debacle. Tell me Frog, how many good soldiers and Marines were killed as a result of the battle for Fallujah?

I believe erik princes layperson approach to tactics, techniques and procedures is grossly lacking. Those four men were sent on that mission, into a semi-permissive environment without first zeroing their weapons, without proper maps and little to no planning. Personally I’d like to see erik prince and the blackwater managers involved in that mission on trial. (And now erik is suing the estates (families) of the men that were killed, mutilated and hung from the bridge, way to go erik! If I were a family member of one of the Marines or Soldiers that was killed in the battle for Fallujah I’d be suing blackwater for causing their death.)

Thank you for bring up the fact that some of the blackwater little birds are being flown by former 160 SOAR guys. I watched as the snot-nosed, arrogant erik prince whined about the loss of a couple of "his" little birds and how that was impacting on blackwaters profit margin. Frog, erik didn’t mention the men that flew them, not once, erik did however, repeatedly mention the loss of his little birds and how it cut into his (blackwaters) profits.

Again I've flown in little birds and I am very aware of their limitations. As I've said one bullet will drop a little bird out of the sky. Now as a 20 veteran I understand why Special Operations paints the little birds black and why we utilize them when they’re least vulnerable, during the hours of darkness. This tactic seems to be lost on erik prince and blackwater.

This was the same rationale Special Forces would not allow the men of 160 SOAR to launch to recover "four" Special Forces soldiers engaged in fierce fighting, hundreds of miles behind enemy lines (Desert Storm). Those "4" Special Forces soldiers, all of whom I personally know, fought for hours while SOCCENT waited for darkness to fall. As a professional I understood the reason for not launching those 160 SOAR birds during the hours of daylight. erik prince does not employ the same rationale, he just whines about profit margins as his helos are shot down and good men are killed. erik prince how much do you pay those brave men to fly during daylight hours?

We have military men and women fighting in iraq. The "war" is mostly over and now this is a hearts and mind operation. As I’m sure you understand the nature of insurgencies just how important do you think is it not to piss off the local population? This is the very same reason we no longer use B-52 airstrikes in populated areas, and the same friggin reason the US military does not randomly fire into a crowd of unarmed civilians.

You see Frog, I've had that training; large gathering of local civilians in a semi-permissive environment protesting an American military presence, one or two armed insurgents in the same crowd looking to initiate a deadly and very hostile response from the US military knowing that if they can get the military to open fire on UNARMED CIVILIANS their mission would be a total success, yeah been there done that. How about you erik? Have you had that training? You know Frog for some reason I don’t think erik prince has had that training.

And Frog, repeatedly kicking the bees nest just stirs up the bees and our military men and women are paying the price, in blood.

There’s a reason we send our military officers and NCO’s to military training and military school, so they don’t make mistakes that cost them their lives or the lives of their men. It’s the same rationale the US military uses in selecting their leaders and the reason they don’t select privates or seamen with four years of experience to lead missions into hostile territory.

Again, I believe erik prince education is being paid for in the blood of great Americans both civilian and military.

One last thing Frog, I’m not positive but extremely doubtful that there were no military units available to aid the Polish Ambassador and blackwater was the only available asset.

Hope that cleared things up.

TS

[x-factor]

If I were a family member of one of the Marines or Soldiers that was killed in the battle for Fallujah I’d be suing blackwater for causing their death.)

Am I correct that your argument would be that, because of Blackwater's tactical negligence, the military was forced to start its clearing of Fallujah ahead of schedule and under hostile/poor conditions? And that doing so greatly increased casaulties in the battle?

[Team Sergeant]

Am I correct that your argument would be that, because of Blackwater's tactical negligence, the military was forced to start its clearing of Fallujah ahead of schedule and under hostile/poor conditions? And that doing so greatly increased casaulties in the battle?

Am I to assume you think differently?

I have no doubt that blackwater screw-up precipitated the first battle for Fallujah.

I'm not alone in this assumption. I guess you forgot about this mission? And you consult for the military?





http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_0105_Fallujah-P1,00.html

Operation Valiant Resolve

After its impressive initial victory in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) returned to Iraq in 2004 to replace Army forces in parts of central and western Iraq. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (1/5), was sent to Fallujah to relieve troops of the 82d Airborne Division. On 31 March 2004, four U.S. contractors driving through that city were ambushed and killed by Iraqi insurgents; their bodies were mutilated and displayed publicly before frenzied crowds in a scene reminiscent of the Battle of Mogadishu. A forceful response was vital and anticipated widely. Accordingly, 1/5, along with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (2/1), and supporting Army and Air Force special operations units were ordered to enter Fallujah for an operation dubbed Valiant Resolve. Their mission was to find and eliminate—or apprehend—the mujahadeen and any accomplices who had perpetrated the ambush. Resistance was expected. Rather than a stability and security operation, Valiant Resolve was to consist of deliberate assaults on prepared defenses.[1]

When the attack commenced 5 April 2004, lead Marine elements were engaged quickly by well-armed and organized enemy units effectively using hit-and-run urban warfare. Despite heavy resistance, the Marines limited their firepower, relying mostly on rifles, machine guns, and snipers. They restricted air support to Cobra attack helicopters and AC-130 gunships.[2] On a few occasions—only after considerable deliberation—fixed-wing aircraft dropped guided bombs on insurgent targets, including a mosque used as a center of resistance.[3] In general, Marine units fought with impressive skill and with exceptional care for civilian lives and property. This solicitude, however, quickly limited the scope of the advance to outlying areas of the city. They did not attempt to penetrate the heart of the city, apparently because U.S. casualties would have been excessive, as would casualties among the inhabitants. The Marines did not want to “rubble the city.”[4]

On 1 May 2004, Iraqi insurgents took to the streets of Fallujah to declare victory over the Marines. “We won,” an Iraqi insurgent told a reporter, explaining they had succeeded by keeping U.S. forces from taking the city.[5] Newspaper and televised reports showed Muslim gunmen celebrating their “triumph” with weapons, flags, and victory signs. U.S. authorities explained that a new Iraqi Fallujah Brigade would assume security duties in the city and ultimately accomplish the mission.

[Ambush Master]

Am I correct that your argument would be that, because of Blackwater's tactical negligence, the military was forced to start its clearing of Fallujah ahead of schedule and under hostile/poor conditions? And that doing so greatly increased casaulties in the battle?

Not speaking for TS, but that is exactly what set it off!!!

We HAD to take charge of the situation, or loose the respect and alliances that we had gained to that point!! You need to understand and respect the culture. This is one of the reasons that the "cut and run" mentality is so wrong!!!

Nuff said.
Martin

[x-factor]

Woah, cease fire! Thats exactly my take on the situation too. Thats what I thought you meant. I was just asking to make sure I didn't misunderstand your position.

[Ret10Echo]

Anything and everything that occurs in the AOR is going to directly impact the effort. If the ground force commander has armed security working in his AO they are a liability. Doubly so if he (the commander) has no oversight.

The diplomatic missions should not have a false sense of security when operating in the area, regardless of the apparent level of preparedness and ability.

I am pretty sure Goliath felt pretty confident until the stone hit him between the eyes.

[Frog]

Team Sergeant, I do not agree with your view of Blackwater. Your carte blanc pounding of the entire company is very short sighted in my opinion. It appears to me that you do not know the people who actually run the company. Erik Prince has little to do with the day to day operations or tactics that BW employs. The BW WPPS contract is run by former SEAL Warrant officers, SEAL officers and enlisted as well as Army SF enlisted and officers. Many from career tours in our national forces, i.e., the best our country has to offer. We are talking about hundreds of years of SOF experience. I've met Erik both when he was on active duty and later. He does care very much for his people and he cares greatly about our Country. He doesn't need the money - he has plenty. He gives much of it to charity. Did you know BW provided katrina relief for free? They were the first helos on the scene and donated their support when they rescued countless people from the disaster site.

This website debunks many of the myths and left wing press reports:
http://blackblawg.blogspot.com/

I am still not sure what motivates your thinking, but I guess we will agree to disagree.

[The Reaper]

Frog:

I have trained at BW since 2002 or so, met Erik and Gary, and have several friends who have worked for them. Some of them post on this very board.

I believe that BW is a company with dubious ethics, limited tactical experience in key leadership positions, little care for its contract employees, and an overwhelming desire for profit.

Understand that you have a different perspective and look forward to your further explanations of their operation.

TR

[Team Sergeant]

Team Sergeant, I do not agree with your view of Blackwater. Your carte blanc pounding of the entire company is very short sighted in my opinion. It appears to me that you do not know the people who actually run the company. Erik Prince has little to do with the day to day operations or tactics that BW employs. The BW WPPS contract is run by former SEAL Warrant officers, SEAL officers and enlisted as well as Army SF enlisted and officers. Many from career tours in our national forces, i.e., the best our country has to offer. We are talking about hundreds of years of SOF experience. I've met Erik both when he was on active duty and later. He does care very much for his people and he cares greatly about our Country. He doesn't need the money - he has plenty. He gives much of it to charity. Did you know BW provided katrina relief for free? They were the first helos on the scene and donated their support when they rescued countless people from the disaster site.

This website debunks many of the myths and left wing press reports:
http://blackblawg.blogspot.com/

I am still not sure what motivates your thinking, but I guess we will agree to disagree.


Sorry boss but thats not true, erik prince and blackwater made a huge profit from Katrina.

I respect your opinion and will continue to argue.;) You prove me wrong and I will act contrite.........;)

Team Sergeant


(Blackwater, Inc. billed the federal government $950 per man, per day -- at one point raking in more than $240,000 a day. At its peak the company had about 600 contractors deployed from Texas to Mississippi, reports Jeremy Scahill in his pathbreaking book, "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army," published by Nation Books.)


http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:4HSrrN-bKMgJ:www.thenation.com/doc/20060605/scahill+katrina+blackwater+profit&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us


Tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims remain without homes. The environment is devastated. People are disenfranchised. Financial resources, desperate residents are told, are scarce. But at least New Orleans has a Wal-Mart parking lot serving as a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center with perhaps the tightest security of any parking lot in the world. That's thanks to the more than $30 million Washington has shelled out to the Blackwater USA security firm since its men deployed after Katrina hit. Under contract with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Protective Service, Blackwater's men are ostensibly protecting federal reconstruction projects for FEMA. Documents show that the government paid Blackwater $950 a day for each of its guards in the area. Interviewed by The Nation last September, several of the company's guards stationed in New Orleans said they were being paid $350 a day. That would have left Blackwater with $600 per man, per day to cover lodging, ammo, other overhead--and profits.
Shortly after the hurricane hit, Blackwater "launched a helicopter and crew with no contract, no one paying us, that went down to New Orleans," says company vice chairman Cofer Black. "We saved some 150 people that otherwise wouldn't have been saved. And, as a result of that, we've had a very positive experience." Indeed. It was only days after the company arrived that it started reeling in lucrative deals.
According to Blackwater's government contracts, obtained by The Nation, from September 8 to September 30, 2005, Blackwater was paid $409,000 for providing fourteen guards and four vehicles to "protect the temporary morgue in Baton Rouge, LA." That contract kicked off a hurricane boon for Blackwater. From September to the end of December 2005, the government paid Blackwater at least $33.3 million--well surpassing the amount of Blackwater's contract to guard Ambassador Paul Bremer when he was head of the US occupation of Iraq. And the company has likely raked in much more in the hurricane zone. Exactly how much is unclear, as attempts to get information on Blackwater's current contracts in New Orleans have been unsuccessful

[Seraph]

I believe blackwater’s amateur and gross mismanagement directly cost the lives of those four good men that were killed, mutilated and hung from the bridge that faithful day.

Amen to that TS and may their souls rest in peace.

Am I correct that your argument would be that, because of Blackwater's tactical negligence, the military was forced to start its clearing of Fallujah ahead of schedule and under hostile/poor conditions? And that doing so greatly increased casaulties in the battle?
This has surely been a well established fact for some time