Readers; Welcome to another week of the BTW. It is great to hear from our readership that we are still relevant, and hold your interest.

You should start to notice some changes over the next couple of weeks in response to your feedback. I look forward to your comments and hope you like what you see.

Based on your input, we will have a new column dedicated to fitness. I will give you articles that are directed toward improving your nutrition and fitness with the goal of giving you the tactical edge in that dangerous world out there.

Enjoy.

John Wrenn
Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Director, Corporate Communications

James Garfield

Should America Employ Mercenaries? You Bet!
February 8, 2008
Stanford Review Online Edition
Chris Seck

On January 16, the New York Times reported that Justice Department officials have informed Congress of "serious legal difficulties" in prosecuting Blackwater security guards involved in a September shooting that left at least 17 Iraqis dead.

Full Story

U.S. Special Forces Target Hearts and Minds
February 2008
National Defense Magazine
Stew Magnuson

Great article about the marriage of Civil Affairs and information operations - a real "Hearts and Minds" campaign.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The convoy was about to depart a free medical clinic when two pre-teen boys who spent their days picking through garbage ran up and told authorities about the suspicious looking rice sacks with wires sticking out that lay nearby.

Full Story

On 6 February 2007, the president announced the establishment of a tenth unified combatant command called Africa Command, or "AFRICOM." Its area of responsibility will cover Africa, and it will have an unprecedented number of interagency civilians in leadership roles (including a civilian deputy command). This new command's objective will be to enhance Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to assist African partners in achieving a more stable environment through security cooperation.

Full Story

Interesting viewpoint on a continuing source of unrest in the Middle East.

Startling developments in Gaza highlight the need for a change in Western policy toward this troubled territory of 1.3 million persons.

Gaza's contemporary history began in 1948, when Egyptian forces overran the British-controlled area and Cairo sponsored the nominal "All-Palestine Government" while de facto ruling the territory as a protectorate. That arrangement ended in 1967, when the Israeli leadership defensively took control of Gaza, reluctantly inheriting a densely populated, poor, and hostile territory.

Full Story

Although Kucinich has dropped out (although he is still a congressman), this article demonstrates where the Democratic party stands with respect to supporting our military and understanding engagement in our own hemisphere.

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Longshot Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich joined thousands of protesters in a demonstration Sunday against a U.S. Army school that opponents accuse of fostering human rights abuses in Latin America.

Full Story

Here is the link to a radical liberal-organization dedicated to closing WHINSEC.

To view the latest contract opportunities at Blackwater, visit our Contract Web Page.

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Here is a creative example of how to leverage cheap, readily available technology to help win the war against Islamic-Extremists.

ORLANDO - As they prepare for their daily patrols around Baghdad, soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division sync up their iPods, not with songs and movies, but with a laundry list of missions and audio files containing pre-recorded phrases in Iraqi Arabic or Kurdish.

Full Story

Interesting view on possible future of military training.

We reported earlier in the week that Forterra was opening a National Security Division (NSD).

Full Story

New twist on effectiveness of E-learning, this time from the U.S. Army website.

Paxton Galvanek credits America's Army for giving him the mad lifesaving skills he demonstrated when he witnessed a horrific traffic accident on the I-40 in North Carolina.

Full Story

Significant movement forward in U.S. joint force integration.

U.S. Joint Forces Command's joint fires professionals have brought key air-ground targeting training to soldiers undergoing training for global operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Full Story

Here is a link to DoDD 3000.5 Military Support for Stability, Security, Transition and Reconstruction Operations. Only 11 pages long, it gives insight to increased doctrinal emphasis on non-combat missions, which are a growing part of 21st century operations.

Provides guidance on stability operations that will evolve over time as joint operating concepts, mission sets, and lessons learned develop. Future DoD policy will address these areas and provide guidance on the security, transition, and reconstruction operations components of SSTR operations and DoD's role in each.

Full Report

Free Law Enforcement Training Available

Tactical Equipment Review:

With 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, 1,950 exhibitors and almost 59,000 attendees, SHOT Show blew last year's records out of the water. Veterans of SHOT Show probably won't see that as a surprise. For some reason, SHOT in Vegas always outshines SHOT in Orlando. There's something about the energy level. Speaking of energy, I burned calories walking more than 22 miles at this year's show. I found some neat new stuff, and some improved old stuff (making it new in a way). Here's a "quick shot"of the show.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review:

While the military and law enforcement section of SHOT Show keeps growing, it doesn't mean the sections dedicated to shooting, hunting and outdoor are shrinking at all. The paintball section didn't look a lot bigger this year, but it wasn't as clearly delineated either. There was a wider variety than ever of outdoor suppliers for tents, blinds, clothing, guns, archery equipment, etc. I didn't see a lot of stuff for fishing (but I didn't search it out either). Some of what I saw really caught my attention and that's the stuff we'll cover this week.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/shot08prelim.htm

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. (Luke 10:19, Amplified Bible)(The Words of Jesus Christ, My Eternal Captain…) 

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2008/article/021108chaplain.htm

This is the first article dedicated to tactical fitness in response to your requests. While this article is a couple of years old, it still has some great pointers. SpecialTactics.com has a great library of fitness articles along with other resources for the Tactical Operator.

First Issue of Military Fitness! Comrades, welcome to Military Fitness, a monthly fitness newsletter for www.specialtactics.com. In coming issues I will bring you functional fitness tips, routines, advice, market information, and other pertinent information concerning fitness and the special operations operator.

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The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication.

The BTW provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Editor-in-Chief – Gary Jackson (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Managing Editor – John Wrenn (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Content Editor – Jennifer Granoff (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
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