security contractors in iraq?

[faultytowers]

Got this e-mailed to me by "a friend", thought you guys out in Baggydaddyland would appreciate it.

Anti-War Hostages Air-Dropped Back into Iraq

The British military announced today that they had air-dropped former hostages Norman Kembler, James Loony and Harmeet Singh Sooden into the Iraqi desert, just a week after their rescue from a house west of Baghdad. The men had been held by insurgents for four months. Since their release, the three men, all from a Christian peacemaker team, have spoken with deep admiration and respect for their captors, while not offering any degree of gratitude to the British commandos who risked their lives to save them.
"We realize now that we made a huge mistake," said Captain Ian Coates of the British Royal Navy, "and it was time to return these men to the people they love and respect." Coates wistfully related the story of how the former hostages were told of the decision to reunite them with their brethren in Iraq.
"To keep it a surprise, we used our commandos to gather the men in the middle of the night," he said. "They were so surprised and excited that we needed to duct tape their mouths and tie them up. But there was no doubt that they were overjoyed to be returning to Iraq. Their eyes were as big as saucers, and Kembler even wet his jammies in excitement!"
The men were whisked by military jet back to a British Military base in Kuwait, and flown by helicopter into Iraq at dawn. Captain Coates struggled to keep his composure as he described the reunion. "The air drop was a remarkable moment, something I was honored to see," he said. "The men were writhing around, screaming and crying with joy. There wasn't a dry eye in the helicopter as we rolled them out."
The British Military was concerned that the men would not be picked up quickly, leaving them to wander in the dessert. So each man was given a bright red parachute emblazoned with one of the famed Danish Mohammed cartoons.
"The cartoons really did the trick," said Captain Coates. "As they drifted downward, you could see the insurgents gathering to welcome them. Some had even set fires to help guide them as they landed. We could hear the chants of welcome even over the whir of the rotors. Did you ever see Born Free? It was like that, but better." Coates would not comment on reports that the three men were all wearing "Jesus Rules, Mohammed Drools" T-Shirts.

[chopperman]

G-day Denver and you other folk dodging the hot ones!

Ive been searching the webb for sometime and maybe you can render some assistance.

Ive been looking for work in Iraq for sometime but all so far to no avail! i'm an experienced Helicopter Pilot and Aviation specialist looking to make a move over there! some would say i must be crazy but thats life..

Any help in steering me in the right Direction would be greatly appreciated.

4 days to go before i arrive into Phuket...........

Cheers..

[georgelondon]

Originally Posted by Lightemup

Taking it point by point:
I was here with our Army and met some contractors and thought, "Hey, thats a pretty cool job" So I started looking into becoming one myself.


Nope, not really, if you dont count Armed Forces Service time in.


There are places online that advertises these kinds of jobs, but most is personal networking. I saw a recruiting add, applied, got vetted, got the job.


Anything you can think of.
I've lived in a tent in the middle of the desert.
And in a trailer with 7 roommates on a construction site.
I've had my own personal trailer on an Army base.
And now live in a villa in the IZ.


Making sure none of our clients and teammembers gets hurt or killed, wont go into specific detail.
It can be everything from static security, guarding a gate to a powerplant, an base, a holding facility or something.
It can be running the roads in big armored surburbans, guns pointing outboard. Doing convoy security or escorting clients around the country.
It can be 1 on 1 personal bodyguard details.
You can be totally undercover doing intelligence stuff on your own or in a small team.
Everything is possible here...


Some proberbly have, there are a couple of bars around the IZ, but you dont go into town and have a party at the local kebab place.
Most teams and companies have their own little watering hole in their compound.
If you live at the Palace in the IZ, there are some cuties running around there.
Im mostly too busy and have the mindset that I dont drink while working, thats what leave and R&R is for. But I'll admit to having maybe two - three beers a month total.


We make good money, no doubt about it, "I" could never make that much money in my own country unless I did illegal things.
My first gig payed USD 12K a month, I now make 18K.
There are companies that pay only 10K a month, and there are some people that make way more than what I make.

But there is a reason for the high saleries.
Our company lost 3 guys some months ago in a 45 second firefight.
One day I might end up on Al Jazeera with a black bag on my head..
Or on a video clip on Ogrish . com



Depends on your countrys tax laws.
This is the major reason I went Expat in Thailand with a tourist visa.



Typical contract lenghts are 90 days on, 30 off.
Some companies offer 1 year contracts, but if the client drops the company after 5 months, youre out of a job, even if your contract stated 12 months...
There is no security in the security business....
I've been here since new year, and will stay for as long as the money is here.
At the end of the day, we're all prostitutes.... BG/BarGirl/BodyGuard.



Hope I helped a little...

thanks for the insight. intresting reading. rather you than me tho mate.

[Denver]

Great post Lightemup and thanks for the post Faulty, that gave me a giggle and I will distribute it around our place. Tell you know who thanks!!

Busy as a busy thing today! So many cakes, so little time!

Sorry about tonight Keld, our vehicles have been dragged off for something else so I can't arrange a pick up! I will raise a few cheeky ones for you.

18K in the IZ is bloody good mate, I'd stick to that one if I was you!

Ahmed, get the bloody kettle on! 55555555555

[steve w]

hmm an iraqi chocolate eclair.......has it been tested for explosives?

[Denver]

Herewith a few more pics as I can't be bothered writing much after a 'Few' bottles of Corona last night....................I'm never drinking again!

[Crustasian]

One question?

In picture no 5 who had the right of way???

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

One question?

In picture no 5 who had the right of way???

The M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank normally out does our poxy Fords Paddy!

Unless you do what we call a "Tienamen Square" on them! It can work sometimes!

This is just a ikle-wikkle tank I tried it on for the first time!

[Denver]

Originally Posted by chopperman

G-day Denver and you other folk dodging the hot ones!

Ive been searching the webb for sometime and maybe you can render some assistance.

Ive been looking for work in Iraq for sometime but all so far to no avail! i'm an experienced Helicopter Pilot and Aviation specialist looking to make a move over there! some would say i must be crazy but thats life..

Any help in steering me in the right Direction would be greatly appreciated.

4 days to go before i arrive into Phuket...........

Cheers..

Sorry Chopperman

I did miss this and apologise. Answered via PM - OK?

Denver

[chopperman]

Denver:

Thanks Mate!
I received your pm but as i am heading off to Phuket in the morning i won't have time to get an Email to you!
But rest assured i will be in touch when i return home at the end of the month.

I really appreciate your response and assistance..

Be safe

Bob

[Denver]

Just a quick post to mention that I bumped into our Lightemup in the International Zone today! It was a pleasure meeting you Keld. It's been too long.

That Burger King wrapper and can of coke on the table wasn't mine by the way. It was a mates!

Good to hear of your plans and I hope you manage to do everything you have in mind. Stay safe Keld and not long now!!!!!!!

[Lightemup]

Yeah, I was actually surprised you havent posted a picture yet of it, with a talking bubble on it
Well, next time, we'll take a picture of us "velly hansum men"

Stay safe,

[nelsonone]

Originally Posted by chopperman

Denver:

I really appreciate your assistance..

Bob

Hmmmmmmmmm D....seems like you are getting lots of mail from BOBs lately..........any reason for this........BTW are you sending money????........55555

[Denver]

Originally Posted by nelsonone

Hmmmmmmmmm D....seems like you are getting lots of mail from BOBs lately..........any reason for this........BTW are you sending money????........55555

I've fallen in love with one Nels and runned away to a far off land of milk and honey and life is good and we are saving for her new breasts and shoes and her name is in fact Bob which is good and I have to go my time is up on this airport computer........"Yes, I know, I Know!! Look! I'm almost finis

[Denver]

Offering up the gold AK-47 as a special prize if you can guess where I am this week boys and girls!

Take a hint from your mama, please don't cry no more.
Cause it's soon one morning down the road I'm gone
But I ain't goin' down that long ol' lonesome road all by myself
If I can't carry you, baby, going to carry somebody else..........I'm on the road again........

Mean harmonica playing to fade.

Stay safe out there and catch ya laters!

[Crustasian]

You have decided to live in the luxury of an airport hotel.

[richie22]

A glimps of what war is like

http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/11...nts_Get_Wasted

I think I will stick to lying on the beach

[Denver]

Originally Posted by richie22

A glimps of what war is like

http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/11...nts_Get_Wasted

I think I will stick to lying on the beach

Good move! Can't argue with that Richie! Let's all just lie on the beach, turn a blind eye and everything will just go away! Paradise! I think I'l join ya!

[richie22]

Originally Posted by Denver

Good move! Can't argue with that Richie! Let's all just lie on the beach, turn a blind eye and everything will just go away! Paradise! I think I'l join ya!

Not turning a blind eye mate. Just could'nt do what you guy's do.I suppose I could turn a blind though as I am blind in one eye.Keep up the good work.
Bit cloudy today so no beach.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by Denver

Offering up the gold AK-47 as a special prize if you can guess where I am this week boys and girls!

Err Were/are you in Dubai Denver? Can I claim my prize? Is it delivered or do I have to collect?