Blackwater USA is a private military contractor and security firm, describing itself as providing support to "military, government agencies, law enforcement and civilian entities in training, targets and range operations."

Blackwater USA consists of five companies:

• Blackwater Training Center
• Blackwater Target Systems
• Blackwater Security Consulting, Moyock, NC
• Blackwater Canine
• Blackwater Air (AWS).

Blackwater's president, Gary Jackson, is a former Navy SEAL, as are other executives within the firm. Company literature claims the company runs, "the largest privately-owned firearms training facility in the nation." The facility, located in North Carolina is comprised of several ranges, indoor, outdoor, urban reproductions and has over 6000 acres (24 km²) of land.

Blackwater offers several courses placed sporadically throughout the year, from hand to hand combat (executive course) to sniping. Furthermore one could opt to enroll in Blackwater Academy, a facility that will train you, provided you are willing to engage in a rather restrictive contract that places you exclusively in their service.

In March 2004, Blackwater contractors who were serving as security for food shipments in Fallujah, Iraq, were attacked and killed. Their charred bodies were beaten and dragged before cameras in a gruesome display.

Controversy has since emerged about whether it is permissible in US mainstream political discourse to refer to these contractors as mercenaries.

External links

• Company web site http://www.blackwaterusa.com/
• AP: NC firm was providing security for food delivery in Iraq http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040331/APN/403311096
• Alternet story on Blackwater, Mercenaries 'R' Us, March 24, 2004 http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18193
• NY Times Article http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/national/02SECU.html