Who Owns Blackwater Security Consulting?
Blackwater Security Consulting is a private military security company and is a subsidiary of Blackwater Worldwide. In 2009, the parent company changed its name from Blackwater Worldwide to Xe Services.
Blackwater Security Consulting is owned by Xe Services.
- Blackwater Security Consulting was founded in 2001 by Erik Prince, a former Navy Seal and Al Clark. It received its first contract in 2003 to provide protective services in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Israel.
- This contract expired and was replaced with a new contract for diplomatic security in Iraq in 2006.
- Over 1000 staff members are in Iraq and one of their duties is the U.S. Embassy there.
- In 2005, they assisted in relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and also helped out with law enforcement in disaster stricken neighborhoods.
- They already had some employees that were under contract to protect government facilities with the Department of Homeland Security. Other employees had private contracts as well.
- The total contracts came to over $30 million.
- In 2009 Erik Prince resigned as CEO, remaining only as Chairman of the Board.
Services of Blackwater Security Consulting
In addition to their duties during the Iraw War, Blackwater Security Consulting has also provided a variety of other services including the following:
- Guarding radar systems in Japan
- Assisting with firefighting efforts during the 2007 California wildfire
- Rescuing a soldier in Mali
- Evacuating three American missionaries in Kenya.
Blackwater Security has met with potential clients to be involved with domestic and disaster relief efforts.
Blackwater Security uses various kinds of equipment including:
- Little Bird helicopters that are used by their Quick Response Force. One of these was used in the rescue of General Edward Pietrzyk, the Polish Ambassador to Iraq in 2007.
- A variety of armored vehicles
Negative Press About Blackwater Security
Blackwater Security was criticized in the New York Times as cowboys who are “aggressive, carry excessive weaponry and do not appear to have top-of-the-line training." They also reported in 2007 that a Blackwater Security guard in Iraq is paid $1,222 a day.