Bubba G

“have a nice day infidel”

You can’t move on the ground anywhere in Iraq without encountering check points. As matter of fact, there are places along the roads where you can’t get your vehicles up to 80 kph because you run into another checkpoint immediately following the one you just cleared.

So, with all these checkpoints, is Iraq more secure?

The short answer, NO.

THE MATH: CONTRACTOR (PSD or CONVOY) + CHECKPOINT = HASSLES AND UNREALIZED DANGERS

Here’s the thing, Checkpoints are certainly effective in disrupting convoys, PSDs, and local civilian traffic, but observably accomplish little more than that on the surface. They don’t stop the rat-line of bad guys and support coming into regional centers, and they most certainly don’t provide security past a plain view inspection of most vehicles.

However, they do provide an overt symbol of authority and maybe it’s as simple an explanation as that.

But, certain things do occur at checkpoints that must be noted and dealt with on frequent occasion by contractors running the roads…

Click Here to Keep Reading – CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: The Thing About Checkpoints in Iraq >>>

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No need for your PKM’s anymore boys – the Iraqi roads are safe now

Here’s some of the latest observations from the Red zone -

The threat environment in Iraq continues to evolve and with it Iraq’s Ministry of Interior ovesight and involvement with PMCs, regulations, and inspections. What does this all equal – MORE HASSLE AND MORE DANGER.

NO PK’s, WTF?

One of the most recent and overt steps taken by the MOI has been the requirement that PKM/PKCs not be used while rolling the roads. This isn’t news to the teams risking their necks to move people and property for the DOD, DOS, and Iraqi Gov’t and it most certainly has not gone unnoticed with our enemies and those that would like to see the continued disruption of the rule of law in the Iraqi state.

I key in on this issue because it has meaning to the guy on the street. The contractor who needs all the weapons and support tools necessary to safely accomplish missions in what is most certainly a semi- permissive and often a hostile operating environment; you see- when a team is attacked, a belt-fed like a PKM/PKC allows a team to establish a controlled base of fire, maneuver against their foes, protect their assets and charges, and effect an escape. Without belt-feds, our defenses are seriously diminished.

PROMOTING THREATS NOT SECURITY

Given the downgrade in capabilities fielded by the United States at a time when the presence of effective defense providers are more prudent than ever (Obama’s ‘draw-down’), the new rules being instituted by Iraq’s MOI fly in the face of street level wisdom and common sense unless, of course, you view PMCs as a threat to national interests and sovereignty and promote their vulnerability and effectively want to endanger their mission’s purpose – SUPPORTING THE STATE AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF IRAQ.

So when the Bureaucrats chip away at your capabilities what do you do?

Click Here to Keep Reading – CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: The PMC State of Affairs in Iraq >>>

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The Red Zone E&E Bag

When you’re rolling the roads in your chosen cesspool, you can get jammed up in some pretty desolate places with little resources available in your AO to effect an escape or survive while you do it; this means that you pack everything needed to supplement your fighting loadout and Team leaders gear with a few more specialized items for just such an occasion… Enter the Red Zone E&E Bag.

I work convoys and protective details regularly and it’s a plausible risk that I may have to tread it on foot if I am separated from my team and vehicle during a contact. I feel the possibility of this is plausible yet remote, but a little planning and gear set aside for an E&E venture is still a part of my readiness and planning routine.

You never know, so have your shit square.

Before I start outlining the gear put in this satchel, let me be clear about what’s NOT listed or a part of this mini-pack. Here’s what’s not included, but carried elsewhere to support me on the ground during hard times in a semi-permissive environment:

Click Here to Keep Reading – CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: The “Red Zone E&E Bag” for PSD and Convoys >>>

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Nothing makes you appreciate the comforts and stability of the 1st world like a big ass explosion

Every Contractor I know cherishes their off time and leave rotations like a priceless gem. For so many reasons, it’s good to get away from work, see the family, and attend to your domestic responsibilities.

But there’s something else that’s often overlooked that should be appreciated quite a bit more; an ordered society and the rule of law.

As contractors we spend a great deal of our time working in environments where even the basics are hard to come by, and when we go home to “the Big PX” we ought take the time to realize what we are truly protecting alongside our military counterparts, and what we are a part of developing in those host countries that we serve in.

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Have the mental edge to lead your own band of brothers

Team Leaders (TLs), let’s talk about the things that will make or break your mission or team.

The Red Zone is not a day on the flat range, or a lecture in an air conditioned class room. It’s a crucible that spits you out at the end with lessons learned, losses counted, and battles fought.

You need every edge you can get so when the mission boredom turns into something else and you compress your OODA Loop and get the job done.

Here’s a short list of observations and thoughts to help sharpen your mental edge and keep you and your Team of operators and keep you both from slipping off a cliff:

Continue Reading CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: The Team Leader’s Mental Edge >>>

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