Blackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty MedalWounded independent contractors are recognizedby Dana C. Richardson

CommuniquéBLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

June 2008

BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Blackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty MedalBlackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty Medal

On May 23rd 2008, Blackwater Worldwide held the first of a series of award ceremonies aimed to honor the dedication and service of Blackwater personnel wounded in action. 10 private security contractors received recognition during the ceremony at Blackwater Worldwide Headquarters in Moyock, North Carolina. Erik Prince, CEO and founder of Blackwater, presented medals and an award certificate to each contractor. More than 300 people attended this ceremony including Blackwater employees, special guests, community members, along with medal recipient’s friends and family members. The guest of honor was WWII veteran, Lt Col. Richard Suehr and his wife Ruth Suehr. The event was a quiet one as this was not a public recognition of sacrifice as the names of the recipients that were honored were not released to the media.

Erik Prince presented “The Blackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty Medal” to each of the ten independent contractors. The front of the medal features the Blackwater logo, which exemplifies Blackwater’s core values and principles, surrounded by the inscrip-tion “Service in Defense of Liberty.” The back of the medal is a rendition of the central stained glass window of the Blackwater Chapel, depicting Michael the Archangel with the raised sword, stepping on the head of evil personified, with the inscription, “Sérvi-am,” which is Latin for “I will serve.” The Blackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty Medal recognizes employees and independent contractors of Blackwater Worldwide and other Prince Group companies who are killed, wounded or have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and courage in the service of their country. The medal symbol-izes the extraordinary fidelity and essential service of those employees and independent contractors who are an integral part of our nation’s “Total Force,” regardless of whether or not they serve under the Department of Defense and who otherwise contribute to the defense of liberty. “I thank each and every one of you for your many sacrifices and for your distinguished, selfless service,” Erik Prince stated.

These men exhibited extraordinary heroism and sustained serious injury while serving under contract to the United States government and Blackwater Worldwide. Part of their citation read, “Their gallantry, leadership and commitment to mission accomplishment greatly contributed to the success of America’s diplomatic and military efforts to defeat terrorism worldwide. Their services and sacrifices are in keeping with the finest tradi-tions of national service and reflect distinct credit and honor upon their selves, their fam-ily, Blackwater Worldwide, The United States of America, and their fellow teammates.” After the ceremony, guests and employees talked and shook the hands of the men who were wounded, offering their words of thanks for their sacrifices. Several award recipi-ents stated they felt honored to be able to come home alive, and served their country. Others stated that it was nice to receive recognition for their battle wounds, but they would rather be with their teams overseas and serve their country again.

Wounded independent contractors are recognizedBy Dana C. Richardson

The Blackwater

Worldwide Defense

of Liberty Medal

recognizes employees

and independent

contractors of Blackwater

Worldwide and other

Prince Group companies

who are killed, wounded

or have demonstrated

extraordinary bravery

and courage in the

service of their country.

BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Freedom and liberty are not innate rights; they are great gifts that have to be earned, pro-tected and defended at all costs.” President Bush once stated, “….men who knew the cost of freedom and were willing to pay that cost so others could live free.” More than 750 contractors have been killed in Iraq, according to Department of Labor statistics, and almost 8,000 injured. The figures include Americans, Iraqis and other nationalities employed under U.S. government contracts. Many served side by side with American troops, lived in the same harsh conditions, and braved small arms and mortar fire along with roadside bombs. Wounded contractors and military soldiers have similar problems dealing with injuries that include searing grief, difficult recoveries and unanswered questions.

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Blackwater Permits are approvedBlackwater Permits are approved

Blackwater Worldwide is planning to open a 61,600 square foot indoor training center to train Navy personnel. It is located in Otay Mesa which is south of San Diego near the Mexican border. Blackwater applied for the required permits in February 2008. The permits for the project were obtained by Raven Development Group which is an entity to Blackwater Worldwide, and Southwest Law Enforcement’s name is on the design plan that the city of San Diego reviewed and approved in March 2008. The city Development Services Department granted the permit without public hearings. The site was already permitted for a vocational school, and city officials advised that Blackwater’s training of Navy personnel qualified for the use as a vocational trade school.

The facility will operate out of a business park and will have a shooting range, a simu-lated Navy ship and classrooms. “We expect it will cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to get the building ready for training, which could begin as early as this coming summer. This is a cost-efficient means in which we can support the Navy,” Brian Bon-figlio, VP of Blackwater Worldwide West Coast Operations, said of the facility.

Blackwater hopes to begin training late this summer, although opponents hope to block those plans by arguing that Blackwater lacks the necessary firearm permits. Blackwater denies any use of deception to get the necessary permits to convert a California ware-house into a training center. Blackwater went through the same process that any other businesses do to get approvals of permits. They never sought to hide its affiliation with those businesses. Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell denied that there was any attempt at concealment. “Raven is not an unknown entity by any means, Raven Develop-ment was started to “build things” for Blackwater, Tyrrell stated.

Plans for Indoor Training Center in Otay Mesaby Dana C. Richardson

Instructors will train

sailors on ship security,

identifying threats and

responding to attacks.

In addition to security

training, the Otay Mesa

warehouse will be

used to teach survival

techniques, the kind of

training that Blackwater

specialized in before its

name became linked

to Iraq. “This is our

core competency,” Tyrell

stated. “This is not

anything new.”

BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Bonfiglio said the company has been conducting military training for five years at several facilities in San Diego County, including the American Shooting Center on Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa. This latest step, Bonfiglio said, “is nothing more than an exercise in geog-raphy.” The Otay Mesa project, will allow Blackwater to continue an existing contract to train Navy personnel. Blackwater has been using a shooting range in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego, but its relationship with the shooting range owner is ending. The new site will replace a smaller facility used by Blackwater a few miles away. The Otay Mesa facility can train up to 48 students at a time. Instructors will train sailors on ship security, identifying threats and responding to attacks. In addition to security training, the Otay Mesa warehouse will be used to teach survival techniques, the kind of training that Blackwater specialized in before its name became linked to Iraq. “This is our core competency,” Tyrell stated. “This is not anything new.”

Blackwater has been training U.S. military and law enforcement personnel since 1997, and the Otay Mesa Warehouse Training Center will allow Blackwater to provide those services into the future. Training that is critical to winning the Global War on Terror.

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Blackwater Security GuardsBlackwater Security Guards

Blackwater Worldwide’s security guards are responsible for protecting the company’s property, personnel, and assets. There is little room for error, and they constantly focus on the safety of students, employees and visitors. Taking great pride in their career, they work a minimum of 60 hours per week standing 12 hour shifts, 365 days a year, during all weather conditions. Ever vigilant, as their tasks can change any moment depending on events, they adapt to the fluid environment, while still a presenting a courteous, pleasant and professional public image.

“Our 24/7 guard force maintained by Blackwater are as well trained as any armed guards in the country.” President of Blackwater Worldwide, Gary Jackson stated. Not only are these men the first line of defense between the outside world and the company, they are the first Blackwater employees that the public sees. Each person who arrives at Blackwater is greeted by these highly trained and motivated guards. As the first line of defense against unfamiliar vehicles trying to enter the compound, they maintain a highly visible presence looking for suspicious behavior from anyone around the property. The armed guards patrol the property and surrounding areas to ensure the Blackwater com-pound is safe and secure.

Blackwater’s guards have over 100 years of combined experience and training in armed security, military, law enforcement and rules and regulations for armed security. All guards are North Carolina Private Protection Services Board (NCPPSB) qualified and must annually re-qualify on the Glock 9 mm pistol and 12 gauge shotgun. They must also pass a semi-annual Physical Readiness Test and attend additional training ranging from policy and procedure updates to an assortment of work related training. The guards also have public relations training to effectively control access points keeping the property

The first line of defenseby Dana C. Richardson

The guards practice

and demonstrate

company values

each day by showing

integrity, teamwork,

innovation, respect

for all, accountability,

efficiency, and ensure a

safe work and training

environment.

BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

secure while easily direct guests without alienating anyone. They help ensure Black-water’s daily schedule runs smoothly. The guards recognize when it’s time to encourage and help ensure each other, and realize that they always need to be prepared and alert.

While performing vehicle access control, they ensure that employees and visitors dis-play proper passes or identification before entering the facility. The guards also handle visual compliance paperwork controlling access to the property by cleared visitors, students, media and vendors and ensuring the proper deliveries of supplies and services. They are required to report any irregularities such as suspicious behavior, unfamiliar aircraft, security doors that are left unlocked, and unscheduled outside media presence. Several protocol processes are in place to respond to any situations that may occur. The guards are frequently called upon to assist in minor & serious emergencies and other issues around property. Should any issue or concern arise, the guards are trained to automatically get the situation under control, contact the emergency response manage-ment team, while following all protocols and emergency response plans. Should these guards need additional assistance the Blackwater Range masters can respond as they too are (NCPPSB) qualified to carry a gun.

The guards have experienced their share of serious incidents from individuals refusing to show identification while demanding access to property, to disgruntled protestors, students and employees. The guards constantly demonstrate their outstanding profes-sionalism when these situations arise as they smoothly take control of the situation with a calm and positive attitude. The guards practice and demonstrate company values each day by showing integrity, teamwork, innovation, respect for all, accountability, efficiency, and ensure a safe work and training environment. The guards demonstrate those same traits during special occasions celebrating the Fourth of July, Memorial and Veterans Days and the 9/11 anniversary. It’s these days that quickly remind them why they’re here. The men and women in uniform and private security contractors have paid a dear price for this country and fight for Americans freedom. “It’s the patriotic days that really heighten the importance of our mission here,” added Marty Willadson, Front Gate Security Supervisor. We’re here to make sure that everyone who belongs on Black-water property has a safe working environment.”

Highly trained professionals, the Blackwater security guards are ready and prepared for a quick response if needed, which is why Blackwater employees rely upon them for protection. Despite the long hours, in sometimes trying climatic conditions, their strong sense of duty coupled with their positive attitude demonstrates their continued value to Blackwater. As they constantly point out, helping people with various problems also makes their work meaningful and they are proud to work for Blackwater.

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CEO of Blackwater Speaks at LuncheonCEO of Blackwater Speaks at Luncheon

On May 19, 2008, Blackwater Worldwide’s founder Erik Prince spoke about his company at the Grand Rapids Economic Club luncheon. Highlighting the company’s positive con-tributions provided the speech’s subject. Prince established Blackwater Training facility, located on over 7,000 acres in Moyock, NC, after having to train at several small sites during his three years as a Navy SEAL.

Betsy DeVos introduced Erik Prince to the sellout crowd of over 750 people. He opened with a look back at private military contractors throughout the United State’s history, dating back to before the Revolutionary War. He maintained that private contractors have been a part of U.S. military history since the founding of the republic. He delivered a strong, occasionally emotional, defense of the need for private companies to help sup-port and train both U.S. troops and local law enforcement officials throughout the United States. “Private Contractors have been there all through history,” Prince explained. “The use of private security firms in a troubled world makes perfect sense.” A U.S. House committee estimates that Blackwater grew into one of nation’s largest private security contractors since 2000, leveraging several federal contracts.

Prince founded his firm in 1997. He called on his childhood memories of his father’s chal-lenges in the auto business in the 1980s to make the case that private sector involvement supports U.S. military operations. “I was just a kid, but I saw my dad’s business under a lot of pressure in the early 1980s from the Japanese. It forced Prince Automotive to in-novate.” The same free market principles, he said, allows Blackwater to use ex-military personnel under a leaner command structure, to quickly mount rescue missions for stranded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with a variety of other tasks.

Blackwater’s role in training and supporting U.S. soldiers substantially increased after the October 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Blackwater has competed for and won several federal contracts from protecting U.S. officials traveling in Iraq to training and supporting U.S. military and law enforce-ment personnel. After the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the U.S. military turned more security functions over to private contractors, to concentrate on the military’s core competencies. This action relieved the military of a score of duties it was not manned, equipped nor trained to accomplish.

Blackwater is staffed with military experts of all kinds and Prince insisted that their involvement in battle zones is purely defensive. “We’re over there to protect Americans from the bad guys,” he said. Blackwater has an estimated 1,000 personnel deployed performing a variety of duties in Iraq. These duties range from armed drivers or body-guards for U.S. diplomats in Baghdad, escorting them when outside the Green Zone, to personnel providing medical services. Prince lashed out at critics who refer to his secu-

Erik Prince discusses his company, Blackwater Worldwideby Dana C. Richardson

He called on his

childhood memories of

his father’s challenges

in the auto business in

the 1980s to make the

case that private sector

involvement supports

U.S. military operations.

“I was just a kid, but I

saw my dad’s business

under a lot of pressure in

the early 1980s from

the Japanese.

BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

rity personnel as mercenaries, stating that the company’s job is to turn out well-trained professionals, many of whom have strong military backgrounds. “If we don’t serve our customer, they fire us,” he said. He also ridiculed the remarks that Blackwater is an undercover operation with something to hide. “The idea that we are a secretive facility, and immoral is just ridiculous,” he said.

As a public figure whose company is under intense scrutiny, Mr. Prince’s candor about private security contractors and their place throughout our history is refreshing and puts the issue into sharp focus. Blackwater’s people are deployed worldwide supporting freedom and democracy everywhere.