Readers;

Is it just me or could this pirate issue be fixed fairly quickly? How about one year of professional armed security personnel on every ship making the passage. I know everyone will be screaming how much it will cost; well folks don't even try to do the math on what it cost to run the USS Bainbridge and the JTF around the gulf responding to radio calls 600 miles away. Of course everyone will want to know what the rules of engagement are; again, there are a lot of smart people out there and this should be answered quickly (if they shoot an RPG at you, you shoot back). For the second year, there will be security on one of every three ships and a large sign on all ships that says this vessel is manned by armed security whether it is or not (kind of like those little signs and stickers people put on their house that says they have a security system but really just paid $5.00 for the sticker).

Eventually this will be just too risky for the pirates to continue the madness, especially if they are not getting money, oh and yes, the diplomatic avenue with nation building must be happening in parallel.

Stay safe.

John Adams

Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@ustraining.com

- J. Edgar Hoover

U.S. Training Center is famous for our ability to deliver hard hitting, effective training experiences for military, security, and law enforcement professionals.

USTC Midwest (Mt. Carroll Illinois) is pleased to offer the High Risk Warrant/Hostage Rescue Course Course Description taught by our special guest instructor, Steve Claggett of Dallas SWAT.

This course will be offered only three times in 2009 so sign up quickly to reserve your spot. May 26-30, 2009; July 27-31, 2009 and October 5-9, 2009

Steve Claggett is a 25-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department

• six years in narcotics
• last 15 years in SWAT

He was a contestant in the USA reality series "Combat Missions" and has recently been featured in A&E TV episodes of "Dallas SWAT" and Court TV episodes of "Texas SWAT." Steve also received the 2006 Excellence Award from the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association.

This course focuses on three of the most common situations: warrant service, barricaded suspect, and hostage rescue.

• Firearm skills for the tactical officer
• Categorizing warrants
• Planning and briefing
• High risk warrant service
• Immediate action - rapid deployment
• Tactical operation center
• Barricaded suspects
• Hostage rescue
• Sniper team role
• Stealth entry techniques

Get one (1) free US Training Center or Blackwater sticker for every $10.00 you spend. Please indicate which sticker(s) you want in the "order instructions" section at check out.

The Maritime Dimension of International Security Terrorism, Piracy, and Challenges for the United States

The vast size and highly unregulated nature of the world's waterways have made the maritime environment an attractive theater for perpetrators of transnational violence. Both piracy and sea-borne terrorism have become more common since 2000 due to the global proliferation of small arms as well as growing vulnerabilities in maritime shipping, surveillance, and coastal and port-side security. In addition to massive increases in maritime traffic, pirates have profited from increasingly congested maritime chokepoints, the lingering effects of the Asian financial crisis, and weakened judicial and governmental structures.

Some analysts also fear that terrorists may soon exploit the carefully calibrated freight trading system to trigger a global economic crisis, or use the container supply chain to transport weapons of mass destruction. While speculation about an emerging tactical nexus between piracy and terrorism is complicating the maritime threat picture, credible evidence to support this presumed convergence has yet to emerge. Since 2002, the United States - one of the world's principal maritime trading states - has spearheaded several important initiatives to improve global and regional maritime security. Although an important contribution, the author urges policymakers to consider four additional measures to better safeguard the world's oceans: helping to further expand the post-9/11 maritime security regime; conducting regular and rigorous threat assessments; assisting with redefining mandates of existing multilateral security and defense arrangements; and encouraging the commercial maritime industry to make greater use of enabling communication and defensive technologies and accept a greater degree of transparency in its corporate structures.

BASRAH, Iraq - For the last year, the country's second largest city has been experiencing something it hasn't known since the war began... safer streets. Prior to January 2008, Basrah was known for being a dangerous city to live in; corruption and fear had been an everyday part of life for its citizens.

During an operation early last year, the 6th Regional Commando Battalion, along with the aid of coalition forces, took action to make Basrah a safer place.

"The city had become so bad that almost everyone except the RCB had given up on fighting the enemy," the 6th RCB commander said. "The 6th RCB continually pushed forward and did missions to clear the streets in order to control the city."

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the agency responsible for running the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), has announced the completion of the 100 millionth instant background check since the inception of NICS 10 years ago. The announcement drew praise from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms industry -- and follows the continued surge of firearm sales across the country for the fifth straight month, extending a trend that began after the November elections.

"We congratulate FBI-NICS on this milestone," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "For 10 years and 100 million transactions, the FBI-NICS team has minimized complications and delays of firearm purchases, thereby benefiting America's retailers, law-abiding gun owners and the general public."

On a completely unrelated note, the shooting world lost one of its best-known names last week. Former Los Angeles County Deputy Jack Weaver, 80, died Tuesday in Carson City. Weaver, for those of you not familiar with the name, is the man for whom the Weaver Shooting Stance is named.

After experimenting with a variety of shooting stances and modifications, Weaver decided the best position for reaction shooting was simple: two hands on the weapon, gun up a foot or so above the vertical centerline of the body, and head slightly dropped. This gave him what he called a "flash picture" of the target. It also gave him the 1959 "Leatherslap" gunfighting title. As he explained "it looked kind of stupid, and everybody was laughing at me, but it worked."

After three years of losing to Weaver, Guns and Ammo writer and legendary shooting expert Jeff Cooper proclaimed the Weaver Stance "decisively superior" to anything else. In fact, Cooper incorporated Weaver's stance into his Modern Technique of the Pistol.

On Saturday evening, I spoke with Weaver's son, Alan, about his father and learned that this last year of his life had been one "of a rock star" after American Handgunner published a story about Weaver and his stance in its May issue. "All last year," Alan said, "Dad got letters, videos, patches from police departments and shooting clubs, tons of mementos that made him realize that people did remember him and his contributions."

We all remember Weaver's contribution to shooting -every time we take a two handed Weaver, or modified Weaver or whatever you call it.

To view the latest contract opportunities at U.S. Training Center, visit our Contract Web Page

TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME CLICK HERE
Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at USTC (252) 435-2488 or email webmaster@ustraining.com

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Every now and then I have a couple items that I've received, each that doesn't warrant a full review all on its own, but together that provide enough info. This week I've got three items to talk about. First is the SLICK: Soft Litter Individual Carry Kit from Aruc Systems. Next is the SE-1 AR-15 Pistol Grip from Stark Equipment. Last, but not least, is a standard length increased capacity (20 round) magazine from Mitchell's Mausers. I'm sure you'll enjoy the info about all three. Let's dive in...

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Bonus Tactical Equipment Review

I have reviewed some of the training available from the Police Officers Safety Association (POSA) in the past. This non-profit organization has become known for the full length in-depth programs it provides on DVD. What many people don't know is that at least ten full length programs are also available online and those programs are accompanied by approximately five dozen shorter 'training tip' videos. Where can you find all that info? I'll share that info and more. Read on.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/recreading/tybposa.htm

As soon as I learned to read I was fascinated with warriors and battles. As soon as I could play with other boys I wanted to play "Army" or "Cowboys and Indians". Cops and robbers was not popular in our rural area.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.ustraining.com/btw2009/article/042009chaplain.htm

In a world of spotless commercial gyms and fancy workout studios, there exists a special breed of man who is a throwback to a seemingly bygone era. His hands are calloused. He dwells in mirror less, chalk-clouded basement gyms. He chooses backbreaking tasks for fun. Driven by iron and stone, he is ruled by a code of strength. He has a simple, one-word name: Strongman.

Mike Gill and Ben Hanson are amateur Strongmen. They lift more than you. They pull more than you. They carry more than you. They push more than you. They do this because they are on a quest to become professional strongmen in the hopes of one day competing for the title of World's Strongest Man.

Here are some links for charitable organizations.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly does not endorse any organization over another nor encourage charitable contributions, we provide these links as a public service, and take no responsibility for the actual sites. Although we strive to validate the sites before linking we caution you to do your own research, as the internet is ripe with scams.

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provides financial assistance and quality of life solutions to:

• OEF/OIF Marines and Sailors injured in combat, training, or with life threatening illnesses; and their families
• Other OEF/OIF service members injured while in direct support of Marine units and their families

Our assistance helps with immediate financial needs and perpetuating needs, such as modified transportation, home modifications, and specialized equipment.

We have charts and graphs to back us up so Back Off.

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

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Questions regarding Security Consulting or US Training (252) 435-2035

To subscribe to the Blackwater Tactical Weekly, Click Here

To view an archived of the Blackwater Tactical Weekly, Click Here