Blackwater announces plans to add Illinois training facility

[Robbien]

MOYOCK, N.C. - Military contractor Blackwater USA, which provides security and training for the military and law enforcement officers, plans to open a center in northwestern Illinois, company officials said Monday.

The Blackwater North facility in Mount Carroll, Ill., will be refurbished and outfitted similarly to the 7,000-acre Blackwater Training Center in northeastern North Carolina. The 80-acre Illinois center already has a tower for climbing and rappelling as well as several firing ranges.

"Blackwater North now gives another option to law enforcement and military professionals in the Midwest and surrounding regions that can reduce total training cost," said Jim Sierawski, Blackwater's vice president for training.

. . .

Earlier this year, the private company announced plans to open a compound in southern California and start a 25-acre jungle survival skills training center in the Philippines.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/16108129.htm

[marmar]

1. Are we moving toward an all-mercenary military?

:scared:

[Blue_Tires]

14. we have been moving toward that for a long time

the founders of such groups are politically connected at the pentagon

[stepnw1f]

2. Shut Them Down! (nt)

[Stargazer99]

3. This private company should be controlled by the general public

I'm afraid of Bush and Company.

[zreosumgame]

4. so OBL wins yet again...

[shance]

5. How does the Bush Administration take over America

One Blackwater training camp station at a time.

[OneBlueSky]

6. Blackwater, detention camps, laws allowing Bush to control the National Guard . . .

all add up to the beginnings of a vigorous police state that we MUST dismantle before it takes control of that nation and everyone in it . . .

pay attention, Democratic Congress! . . . it's on you now . . .

[shance]

8. No, they won't do anything about it. Its up to us, the citizens.

They won't impeach and they are too beholden to special interests.

This is where the rubber meets the road - they are dismmantling and privatizinig our military while outsourcing jobs, which means they will try and recruit citizens to be in their private armies.

[saigon68]

15. Those mercenaries need a Rose Petal parade

Scum, War Criminals and Hooligans get what they richly deserve

[uppityperson]

7. these guys give me the creeps. eom

[madrchsod]

9. well i never knew that

that`s just up the road from me. that`s great, all the gung ho cops in this area will learn the latest tactics from iraq.

[dbeach]

10. illegal

ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS ILLEGAL TO HIRE MERCS BY us govmint

must be an ole fahioned guy who thinks the Bill of Rts is more than quaint

[mwdem]

11. This administration has always wanted to privatize the military.

Look at how they've taken care of the soldiers in Iraq.

[annabanana]

12. and militarize the police..... . . . . eom

[goforit]

13. Isn't KBR up in Rock Island, Illinois? The Northwest of Illinois.