DoD: U.S. Contractors in Syria

DoD: U.S. Contractors in Syria

5,500 Department of Defense contractors are in Syria and Iraq battling ISIS, according to a quarterly report from the U.S. Central Command. The report lists two theaters of operations under USCENTCOM’s jurisdiction – Afghanistan and Syria/Iraq. This report is the first time that the Pentagon has said that there are anti-ISIS contractors in both countries. Almost a third are in …

A Soldier’s Story

A Soldier’s Story

Western journalists recently peeked inside the life of a Wagner mercenary in Syria. How do their experiences compare to the ones American contractors forged in places like Iraq? Most of the mercenaries interviewed insisted they did not fight for the money. They also said they did not fight for Assad, since “Only a tiny percentage of the population there supports …

Virginia Contractor Takes Friendly Fire to New Heights

Virginia Contractor Takes Friendly Fire to New Heights

One enterprising company is taking advantage of an expected uptick in business even as contractors leave Iraq and other active war zones. When Adversary Air founder and CEO Jeffrey Parker began the company in 1994, it had a few old F-21 Kfirs, MK-58 Hawker Hunters and L-39 Albatross to challenge sophisticated F-18 Hornets in training missions. Business was slow at …

Private Military Contractor Use Expands

Private Military Contractor Use Expands

Canada expanded its use of private military contractors in places like Afghanistan, joining the ranks of the United States and other NATO countries in this regard. According to documents released online, the Canadian federal government has pledged over $1 million to various security contractors. These entities are to provide intelligence support service for Canadian commando units deployed overseas. Two of …

Proposed Legislation Would Protect Burn Pit Victims

Proposed Legislation Would Protect Burn Pit Victims

Largely in response to an administrative law judge’s landmark decision, a Florida lawmaker plans to introduce a bill forcing the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover burn pit injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) plans to present a bill to the House Veterans Affairs Committee that would require the VA to presume that burn pits in …