[Infowarrior] - Blackwater Preps for Hurricane Gustav

[Richard Forno]

Blackwater Preps for Hurricane Gustav
By Noah Shachtman EmailAugust 31, 2008 | 10:21:00 AM

New Orleans is being evacuated once again, as Hurricane Gustav lumbers  
towards the Gulf Coast. Everyone from the U.S. military to the British  
Royal Navy to Blackwater is gearing up to respond.

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But perhaps the most startling call for forces comes from Blackwater,  
the controversial prviate security contractor.  The firm -- which  
famously patrolled New Orleans after Katrina -- is "compiling a list  
of qualified security personnel for possible deployment into areas  
affected by Hurricane Gustav," according to an e-mail obtained by R.J.  
Hillhouse.

They're looking for current sworn law enforcement officers, with  
"arrest powers" and "armed status (must indicate Armed and/or Semi  
Auto. Revolver only not accepted)." The firm is also looking for  
"current/active/licensed/registered armed security officer[s]," but  
"only from the following states: OR, WA, CA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, FL, GA,  
SC, NC, VA, MD, IL, OK."

Applicants "must be US citizens," the e-mail notes. "Contract length  
is TBD."

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http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/08/officials-made.html