Comments on: Shakedown http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853 Outside the Wire, Inside the Loop Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:56:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tim http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-83 Tim Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:55:17 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-83 I have been stopped 4 times by NDS. God I have those fuckers. They basically steal our shit and just take off. Literally running to their trucks and taking off. The same slack jaw fat guy has gotten my 3 times! I have been stopped 4 times by NDS. God I have those fuckers. They basically steal our shit and just take off. Literally running to their trucks and taking off. The same slack jaw fat guy has gotten my 3 times!

]]> By: Jake http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-81 Jake Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:08:34 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-81 Tim, Unfortunate as it was, it made for a good story and a compelling read. Well done to keep you wits about you. As I was reading your recounting of it, it made me think how in Iraq, since the handover on 1 Jan, more and more the U.S. badges mean less and less. Contactors there have run roughshod over the local authorities for so long there is even more hate and discontent than in the Stan, I am affraid. There are going to be a lot of dicey checkpoints to navigate and more than a few 'wolf smiles' flashed in the months ahead on both sides. Nice work keeping your eye on the ball and realising that the mission is getting the PAX to the old aerodrome safely and presumably you would have been transiting back through the AO later the same day it really made no sense to allow the situation to escalate out of control, as maddening as it is to be fleeced by 'crooked cops'. I had a similar situation occur once and had to have my driver explain in Arabic to the head honcho. 'Listen, you are gonna get away with this today...but just so we are clear. I know your a crook. So now you know that I know that you are a crook.' Heads nodding all around 'wolf smiles' exchanged we moved off. Every day we as contractors stay out of the newspapers is a good day for the industry. Alexander the Great is credited with saying, "Remember upon the conduct of each depends the FATE of all." Keep up the good work. SF Jake Tim,
Unfortunate as it was, it made for a good story and a compelling read. Well done to keep you wits about you. As I was reading your recounting of it, it made me think how in Iraq, since the handover on 1 Jan, more and more the U.S. badges mean less and less. Contactors there have run roughshod over the local authorities for so long there is even more hate and discontent than in the Stan, I am affraid. There are going to be a lot of dicey checkpoints to navigate and more than a few ‘wolf smiles’ flashed in the months ahead on both sides. Nice work keeping your eye on the ball and realising that the mission is getting the PAX to the old aerodrome safely and presumably you would have been transiting back through the AO later the same day it really made no sense to allow the situation to escalate out of control, as maddening as it is to be fleeced by ‘crooked cops’. I had a similar situation occur once and had to have my driver explain in Arabic to the head honcho. ‘Listen, you are gonna get away with this today…but just so we are clear. I know your a crook. So now you know that I know that you are a crook.’ Heads nodding all around ‘wolf smiles’ exchanged we moved off. Every day we as contractors stay out of the newspapers is a good day for the industry. Alexander the Great is credited with saying, “Remember upon the conduct of each depends the FATE of all.”

Keep up the good work.

SF

Jake

]]> By: Patrick http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-82 Patrick Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:29:00 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-82 I accidentally came across your blog and highly enjoyed it. I spent 18 months in Afghanistan working for a PSC running convoys in Kabul and Kandahar. I feel bad about you losing the vests but laughed a little at the same time. I know the exact check point your talking about. We always slowed down flashed the ID/US flag and drove off. But then again our vehicles were armored. Good luck and stay safe! Hopefully I'll run into you guys back in Kabul soon. I accidentally came across your blog and highly enjoyed it. I spent 18 months in Afghanistan working for a PSC running convoys in Kabul and Kandahar. I feel bad about you losing the vests but laughed a little at the same time. I know the exact check point your talking about. We always slowed down flashed the ID/US flag and drove off. But then again our vehicles were armored. Good luck and stay safe! Hopefully I’ll run into you guys back in Kabul soon.

]]> By: Lino http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-80 Lino Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:17:23 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-80 As an ex-pat living outside the wire (who also used to work at the embassy) I can so identify with everything you have written. I can honestly say that I fear the N.D.S. more than the Taliban. Good tip on the local driver as a cue. They tried to take my weapon and ID off of me at the same checkpoint. I wouldn't get out of the vehicle, flashed my ID (which they grabbed and I grabbed back), and told my driver to go. Luckily they didn't shoot or pursue as I drove off. I have so many stories like this...it's ridiculous and sickening. As an ex-pat living outside the wire (who also used to work at the embassy) I can so identify with everything you have written. I can honestly say that I fear the N.D.S. more than the Taliban.

Good tip on the local driver as a cue. They tried to take my weapon and ID off of me at the same checkpoint. I wouldn’t get out of the vehicle, flashed my ID (which they grabbed and I grabbed back), and told my driver to go. Luckily they didn’t shoot or pursue as I drove off.

I have so many stories like this…it’s ridiculous and sickening.

]]> By: Quirk http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-76 Quirk Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:21:02 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-76 Well 3100 aint that bad my back channels say it would run around $40k to send an M4 "legally" to a PSC in the stan and I'd most likely have better luck hideing all the parts in a used chevy Tahoe and sending that to you. Well 3100 aint that bad my back channels say it would run around $40k to send an M4 “legally” to a PSC in the stan and I’d most likely have better luck hideing all the parts in a used chevy Tahoe and sending that to you.

]]> By: Industry Talk: A Call for Help from Free Range International http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-77 Industry Talk: A Call for Help from Free Range International Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:13:21 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-77 [...] Story Here [...] [...] Story Here [...]

]]> By: Robert K. Brown http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-79 Robert K. Brown Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:24:33 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-79 Tim: Great job! Am interested in reprinting your piece on "Shake Down." Plez advise...rkb...editor'publisher...soldier of fortune magazine Tim: Great job! Am interested in reprinting your piece on “Shake Down.” Plez advise…rkb…editor’publisher…soldier of fortune magazine

]]> By: Juliana http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-78 Juliana Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:41:17 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-78 Hey, Tim...just pass the cost along to your "clients"....if you get "robbed" of the tools of protection while doing your job because of the unusual circumstances....the client gets to replace the stuff. Either the clients want to be protected or not...I have no doubt that they would be able (or even brave enough) to even contemplate going to some areas of this world if they didn't have your protection... You ARE a businessman ...granted you are a soldier first and foremost..but you'll never stay in business unless you have the tools to do so...rule #1 in free enterprise. Any bean counter will tell you that. Just a thought... Hey, Tim…just pass the cost along to your “clients”….if you get “robbed” of the tools of protection while doing your job because of the unusual circumstances….the client gets to replace the stuff. Either the clients want to be protected or not…I have no doubt that they would be able (or even brave enough) to even contemplate going to some areas of this world if they didn’t have your protection…

You ARE a businessman …granted you are a soldier first and foremost..but you’ll never stay in business unless you have the tools to do so…rule #1 in free enterprise. Any bean counter will tell you that.

Just a thought…

]]> By: amy http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-75 amy Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:21:49 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-75 Afghans (men) love having their photos taken! Even if they are in the middle of shaking a couple of vests off of you. I threw out half the photos just 'cause it's too obvious the fellas were posing for the camera. Even the dudes on the ridge straightened up, slung their rifles, and sucked in their guts when they saw the camera... The reaction to the camera leads to several funny stories. Like the time we were following behind a pick-up full of AK-armed ANP, escorting the regional Chief of Police. We'd just gotten to the curvy part of the Tangi Valley and I start shooting (the camera) from the backseat through the windshield. This causes all the ANP to perk up, sling their weapons all ready-like, straight index fingers and all. They start striking gunner poses, scanning the high ridges and generally behaving like something's going on. Except I notice that they keep looking at the camera out of the corner of their eyes and grinning broadly in between poses, and straightening their uniforms. However, Shem-bot, cradling an MP5 between his legs in the passenger seat and already on edge since we entered the valley, only notices the sudden drastic change in posture and responds like there maybe is something they know about that we don't... ah, the hilarity. Afghans (men) love having their photos taken! Even if they are in the middle of shaking a couple of vests off of you. I threw out half the photos just ’cause it’s too obvious the fellas were posing for the camera. Even the dudes on the ridge straightened up, slung their rifles, and sucked in their guts when they saw the camera…

The reaction to the camera leads to several funny stories. Like the time we were following behind a pick-up full of AK-armed ANP, escorting the regional Chief of Police. We’d just gotten to the curvy part of the Tangi Valley and I start shooting (the camera) from the backseat through the windshield. This causes all the ANP to perk up, sling their weapons all ready-like, straight index fingers and all. They start striking gunner poses, scanning the high ridges and generally behaving like something’s going on. Except I notice that they keep looking at the camera out of the corner of their eyes and grinning broadly in between poses, and straightening their uniforms. However, Shem-bot, cradling an MP5 between his legs in the passenger seat and already on edge since we entered the valley, only notices the sudden drastic change in posture and responds like there maybe is something they know about that we don’t… ah, the hilarity.

]]> By: RangersGirl http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=853#comment-74 RangersGirl Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:13:21 +0000 http://blog.freerangeinternational.com/?p=853#comment-74 Wow. I'm surprised they didn't try to confiscate the camera too. Could Amy Sun have been accused of being a spy? She took a good series of photos of the whole negotiating thing. BTW, regarding Matt's comment. It would be interesting if those vests did have RFIDS and could be tracked. Gee, I wonder if that rumor could be passed, maybe the Taliban or bad guys would be less interested in them, if they thought having them would lead US forces to them. BTW, love the insight you provide on this blog. Wow. I’m surprised they didn’t try to confiscate the camera too. Could Amy Sun have been accused of being a spy? She took a good series of photos of the whole negotiating thing.

BTW, regarding Matt’s comment. It would be interesting if those vests did have RFIDS and could be tracked. Gee, I wonder if that rumor could be passed, maybe the Taliban or bad guys would be less interested in them, if they thought having them would lead US forces to them.

BTW, love the insight you provide on this blog.

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