Battleangel

First aired by PBS on 21st of June. Private Warriors investigates the issue of the now over 120.000 private contractors who are afoot in Iraq. Even though privatization of the armed forces or supplies is nothing new, the Iraq conflict has put a new spin on it and many, even within the US government, naturally question if this is a good idea. But it is very much in line with the recent privatization fad, the theory being of course that better competition will drive the costs down and that the private companies somehow work more efficiently. Certainly a contingent of contractors hired to do only one thing tends to be efficient, but the cost so far per man and day is staggering. But what does it matter when Cheney’s old Halliburton is getting its pockets lined?

As the Army struggles to meet recruitment numbers, FRONTLINE takes a hard look at private contractors servicing U.S. military supply lines, running U.S. military bases, and protecting U.S. diplomats and generals. Between the logistics giant Halliburton and a myriad of armed security companies, private military contractors comprise the second largest “force” in Iraq, far outnumbering all non-U.S. forces combined. There are as many as 100,000 civilian contractors and approximately 20,000 private security forces.

FRONTLINE visits the biggest Halliburton/KBR run base, Camp Anaconda, in the Sunni triangle. Behind concrete walls 28,000 soldiers and 8,000 civilians live in bases that offer Taekwondo and Salsa lessons, movie theatres, fast food courts, and four meals a day. The amenities are impressive, but some argue that there is a price to pay. Says a former base commander Marine Colonel Thomas X. Hammes, “it’s misguided luxury … somebody’s risking their lives to deliver that luxury.”

“The Pentagon’s increasing reliance on outsourcing military functions raises important questions about accountability and the chain of command.”

“There’s a bubbling resentment … and you’re starting to sense a backlash from the military.”

“Americans would like to withdraw troop members. And perhaps it is part of their policy to reduce troop members and replace them with private security contractors.”

The beauty of the planning here is that when all the snags, like lack of communication etc, are worked out, the US will have a reliable and highly motivated garrison of mercs and freelancing support staff, that may still cost twice that of a ordinary soldier per day, but can operate without oversight and, like any private corporation, can offer its employees rotten benefits and get away with it. Sure, $500-1000 a day sounds great but when you’re wounded or dead, don’t count on your employer to send any flowers, or even acknowledge that you ever worked there. As for oversight, it is already abundantly clear that there is no such thing, and that is something they wont fix. It’s in fact perfect, a fighting force without the hoopla of flag draped coffins and public backlash.

Hmmm. Someone ought to look into the correlation between recent events in this field and the private armies that roamed Europe during the middle ages, I think there are historical lessons to be learned here.