Readers;

There is lots of movement and innovation around the globe as the U.S. and our allies continue to engage both the Islamic and narco-terrorists. There is some good news concerning bio-metric and counter-IED technological advances that will enable progress in the GWOT.

Enjoy this week's issue.

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

John Adams

Similar legislation targeting gangs has been targeted in other states, yet is receiving bi-partisan support in Florida.

TALLAHASSEE - Bipartisan anti-gang legislation is cruising through the legislature with virtually no opposition, even from civil liberties groups.

Civil liberties advocates have questioned and threatened lawsuits over similar measures in states such as California, Washington and New Mexico that sought to create gang registries or bar suspected gang members from portions of town.

Full Story

Here is an excellent synopsis of how contracting support is integrated into government operations, and cannot be quickly or easily abolished.

When presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) declared in 2007 that she would eliminate 500,000 federal contractors if elected president, some policy experts said she couldn't do it.

Full Story

The Backup Training Corporation has introduced a free new Law Enforcement Newsletter. Delivered in electronic format, the newsletter contains a variety of brief training articles in each issue. These articles have been based on portions of the company's extensive library of law enforcement courses and provide practical tips that you can use in your everyday police work. Read these articles and you will want to see the full courses. The Backup is the premier digital training provider for law enforcement.– Click here to subscribe or learn more!

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

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News about the standardization of EOD robots.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Navy will field a family of bomb disposal robots to replace the ad hoc commercial systems being used in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

Bosch Security Systems is extending its Conettix family of security- and fire-alarm modules with a communications receiver/gateway module offering enhanced communication features. The new D6100i module supports internet or intranet communications over a Local-Area Network (LAN) or Wide-Area Network (WAN), plus telephone line communications over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Good news on innovations to stop identity theft, which is not only a financial crime, but has implications for homeland security.

Debix has announced the national launch of the expanded Debix Identity Protection Network. Debix says its network is 'the first and only identity protection solution that is with you during an attack and proactively stops identity theft at the moment it is attempted.'

Full Story

Overview of new tool to help fight criminal exploitation of technology to.

An ongoing effort with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) by Google produced video tools for use in finding exploitative images and videos.

Full Story

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

When I first became a cop, some 25+ years ago now (geez, I'm old), the placement of items on a duty belt was quite hap-hazard. The gun went in a specific spot, but everything else went wherever was comfortable. Very little guidance existed aside from the veterans who said, "This worked for me." Now, thanks to Officer Bob Hindi, there is a placement plan that is both ergonomic and supporting officer safety. I was, at first, overwhelmed by the time and research Hindi put into his system. I'll do my best to hit the high spots, whys and wherefores in this review.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

I'll never forget the scene in "Robin Hood" when Robin fights John Little (who he comes to call Little John) with cudgels in the middle of a babbling brook. That Robin ends up "in the drink" a couple times is funny... and not. Those scenes got me thinking about the value of a walking stick though. Not only does it provide you additional support, but it can also a tool for self-defense, part of a shelter, or carry other items handy for hiking and/or backpacking in the great outdoors. Let's look at a few of them – including a VERY basic home made one – and what features are best to have.

Another week has hopped, skipped, jumped, dragged and flown by... Depending upon where you were and what you were doing at any particular time.

By the middle of my fourth day on the street I am looking for ways to keep my energy up and my perception sharp. I have used several things and several methods to achieve my goals... They usually work but some days it comes down to a dark chocolate bar and a good old Coca-Cola. Our outside temperatures the past two days were high 70's, low 80's and an hour directing traffic in a busy intersection is a job that wrings the moisture right out of you. I think most of mine went out through my whistle.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2008/article/042808chaplain.htm

The 4-to-6 hour Primal Quest Sprint Series events are perfect for adventure racers, runners, mountain bikers, paddlers, triathletes and any other athlete looking at for a challenging and fun experience.

The all new Primal Quest Sprint Series offers adventure races for teams of two that feature standard adventure racing disciplines, including trekking/trail running, mountain biking, and paddling.

Points will be recorded throughout the series. The top 20 males and females will be awarded points in each race. At the end of the series, the athletes and team with the highest points will receive prizes including an entry into the primal quest expedition adventure race!

PQSS 2008 Upcoming Events:

Full Story

Great article on how to build a salad as a healthy meal, and not load it up with empty calories.

Salads are usually served at the beginning of a meal, but a salad can also make a healthy, low-calorie meal all by itself...

Full Story

Black Five (http://www.blackfive.net/)
Blackwater Facts (http://www.blackwaterfacts.com/
Blogs of War (http://www.blogsofwar.com/)
Fifteen Months (http://www.fifteenmonths.blogspot.com/)
Iraq Slogger (http://www.iraqslogger.com/)
The Long War Journal (http://www.longwarjournal.org/)
Small Wars Journal (http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/)
The Spy Who Billed Me (http://www.thespywhobilledme.com/)

Although Blackwater Worldwide has given up its plans to build a training center in East County, the government contractor is still seeking a presence in San Diego County.

Full Story

Even as Blackwater moves to open a new training facility in San Diego to support U.S. military along with federal, state and local law enforcement personnel, opposition forces are marshalling to protest the facility. Here is an editorial that was submitted to, but not published by, the San Diego Union supporting the new facility. We would like to thank RADM Worthington for his support which echoes that which we constantly receive from you, our readers.

Link to editorial

Never knock on Death's door. Ring the bell and run, he hates that.

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)
Format Editor – Jennifer Granoff (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Frank's Review – Frank Borelli (frank@borelliconsulting.com)
Chaplain's Corner – Chaplain D. R. Staton (chpln1@verizon.net)
Advertising – Melissa Cuthbert (MCuthbert@blackwaterusa.com)

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