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Private security called a boon to Canadian bases in Afghanistan

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Private security called a boon to Canadian bases in Afghanistan
June, 18, 2009 - 01:29 pm Perkelx, Colin - (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
 
PANJWAII DISTRICT, Afghanistan - The increased reliance on private companies to provide basic security for Canadian bases in southern Afghanistan is freeing up critical military manpower, officers say, although some soldiers worry about the effectiveness of local Afghan guards.
Several operating bases in the dangerous Panjwaii district are now farming out the sentry work, the latest switch-over coming just this week.
"It definitely gives us flexibility," said Maj. Steve Jourdain, infantry commander and head of a patrol base. "If it was not for the private security, it would not be possible for me to do the next operation."
In this particular case, the Canadian-owned security company Tundra Strategies won the contract with the Department of National Defence.
Tundra, one of four private companies working for Canada, runs an Afghanistan-based operation that hires and trains mostly Afghans as guards, but deploys them as far from their home regions as possible in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
After complaints from some of the NATO soldiers - some of the Afghan guards were found sleeping on duty, for example - Tundra sent in a full-time commander, a 22-year veteran of the Canadian army.
The commander, who identified himself only as Steve in order to protect the integrity of his mission, oversees a contingent of guards who live and work from their own quarters on one edge of the base.
In effect, it's a parallel platoon, a largely self-sufficient unit that operates with its own communications network, weapons, uniforms and vehicles - even its own supply of food and a cook.
The guards are at least 25 years old to avoid depleting the ranks of Afghan government forces, which tend to seek out even younger recruits to avoid having to disabuse them of bad habits. Some are ex-soldiers.
"This is warfare," Steve said. "They are well trained."
Privately, however, some soldiers fret about the level of protection the security companies offer.
"Maybe I don't trust them as much as my fellow (soldiers)," said one, who spoke on condition that he not be named. "But they are locals, so they have a lot more chance to spot something than we do."
Not only that, but it's cheaper than having Canadian soldiers do the same job and frees them up to concentrate on other aspects of the mission, he added. "So it's a win-win situation."
Other soldiers talk about running into private security forces while on patrol and not really knowing who they were dealing with.
In one case last fall, Master Cpl. Josh Roberts was killed when his unit came under fire from both Taliban militants and possibly guards belonging to Compass Security ISS, which was escorting an aid convoy through Zhari district, west of Kandahar.
A military police investigation concluded Roberts died from a Taliban bullet, a conclusion his family has questioned.
The issues surrounding armed guards has prompted the Afghan government to clamp down, whittling down the number of companies to about 40 from more than 100, according to recent estimates. Companies now require expensive - some complain usurious - government licensing.
As a result, most are now professionally run by ex-soldiers such as himself, said Steve, 46, who makes his home in Pembroke, Ont., some 150 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.
"They are not running around shooting things for the sake of shooting things," he said, adding his rules of engagement are similar to those of the Canadian military.
"There is always going to be friendly fire. War is chaos. War is confusing."
Ottawa has just signed an international protocol governing the use of private security companies in countries like Afghanistan. For former soldiers, the job is both lucrative and a way of utilizing skills learned during a lifetime in the military.
They come from Canada, the U.S., South Africa and several other countries, drawn by the money and adventure.
Earnings run to about US$1,000 a day depending on the job, largely tax-free, and all expenses are paid.
"The money is fantastic," said Steve, who is married but has no children. The guards themselves earn between US$300 and $600 a month, depending on job and skill level.
Tundra has also moved to match Canadian bases with Canadian security heads - a sensible move, Steve said, given his familiarity with Canadian military system.
For the most part, he said, he and his men try to keep a low profile, which makes moving around Afghanistan without massive military escorts feasible and keeps relationships smooth on the base.
"You've got to be a certain type of person to do this," said Steve, who is in Afghanistan indefinitely but gets one month vacation every four months.
"I actually tried the retirement thing, but I just couldn't stand it."

http://www.news1130.com/news/world/more.jsp?content=w185390330
 
When I first got to the FOB in Roto 3-08 the security was done by the ANA and ANP, who were just horrible. While on duty they slept in the towers, on top of the hescoe, didn't pay any attention, some of their weapons were rusted out, didn't wear their armor, etc. The list goes on, they just did not care.

When Tundra took over security it was like night and day, their guys were professional, alert, motivated, wore all their protective gear, had good weapons. They seemed to give a damn. And for my part I slept more soundly for having them there instead of the ANA or ANP. The Canadian in charge of them was an ex-serviceman who's extremely intelligent and knew his business. All in all I have nothing bad to say about Tundra, and I think it's a great move to have them take over FOB security.
 
Blue Hackle are a strung out dopers moonlighting from their ANP "jobs"
Tundra I'm not sure of.
USPI...HA!!!! What a joke...shoot first...at anyone...and drive on....
 
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