The United States Government Outsourcing Private Military Organizations

Blackwater USA, a private military company and security firm, founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark, purports to be "The most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world."

Consisting of nine companies which provide training, target systems, security consulting, airships used in sophisticated surveillance procedures, maritime training, and aviation worldwide services (including "Presidential Airways" which claims to hold a Secret Security Clearance from the United States Department of Defense) and more. Blackwater USA is also affiliated with Greystone Limited, a private security firm registered in Barbados which employs third country nationals for offshore security work. Another subsidiary of Blackwater USA is Raven Development Group (RDG), which built the famed training facility for Blackwater in Moyock, North Carolina. RDG now offers services to governments and private clients constructing everything from office complexes to secure military bases in Baghdad.

Blackwater USA, among other private security firms, is a member of the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), an international trade association whose mission is to "promote high operationall and ethical standards of firms active in the Peace and Stability Industry; to engage in a constructive dialogue with policy-makers about the growing and positive contribution of these firms to the enhancement of international peace, development, and human security; and to inform the concerned public about the activities and role of the industry." There is a total of 41 (forty-one) companies in the "peace and stability industry" who are active members of IPOA. The reason I chose to write about Blackwater USA is that they are currently on contract with the United States Government, through the Department of Defense, in Iraq, Dar Fur, and other areas throughout Africa and the Middle East.