There Are Now More US Paid Contractors than US Troops In Iraq
cx | 06.07.2007 16:43 | Analysis | Iraq
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Contractors in Iraq
There are more U.S.-paid private contractors than there are American combat troops in Iraq.
Contractors: 180,000
U.S. troops: 160,000
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Nationality of contractors*
118,000 Iraqis
43,000 non-U.S. foreigners
21,000 Americans
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Top contractors
Company: Kulak Construction Co.
Description: Based in Turkey, supplies construction workers to U.S. bases
Total employees: 30,301
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Company: KBR
Description: Based in Houston, supplies logistics support to U.S. troops
Total employees: 15,336
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Company: Prime Projects International
Description: Based in Dubai, supplies labor for logistics support
Total employees: 10,560
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Company: L-3 Communications
Description: Based in New York, provides translators and other services
Total employees: 5,886
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Company: Gulf Catering Co.
Description: Based in Saudi Arabia, provides kitchen services to U.S. troops
Total employees: 4,002
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Company: 77 Construction
Description: Based in Irbil, Iraq, provides logistics support to troops
Total employees: 3,219
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Company: ECC
Description: Based in Burlingame, Calif, works on reconstruction projects
Total employees: 2,390
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Company: Serka Group
Description: Based in Turkey, supplies logistics support to U.S. bases
Total employees: 2,250
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Company: IPBD Ltd.
Description: Based in England, supplies labor, laundry services and other support
Total employees: 2,164
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Company: Daoud & Partners Co.
Description: Based in Amman, Jordan, supplies labor for logistics support
Total employees: 2,092
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Company: EOD Technology Inc
Description: Based in Lenoir City, Tenn., supplies security, explosives demolition and other services
Total employees: 1,913
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Note: Data are as of February, which is most current available.
*Approximate - numbers rounded
Sources: U.S. Central Command, Times reporting
cx
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
Paid Contractor
06.07.2007 17:09
I have nothing against whores and prostitutes, although nothing to do with them, they seem to do a fine job although a difficult and dangerous one. So given that I have no worse insults in the English language suitable to describe mercenaries. What could be lower than a killer who kills for pay ? At least pederasts keep their victims alive.
But 'Paid Contractor' ? I used to fix computers as a contractor and I was paid. Not very difficult or brave, but I never slaughtered anyone for money. These people are mercenaries, the scummiest of professions, and you shouldn't euphemise that. Hired hit men for the Mafia deserve more respect simply for targetting their killing. There is no-one alive today is of lower moral standing than a 'paid contractor' in Iraq. Maybe the politicians we elected who sent them there. Maybe.
Danny
Homepage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary
Missed the point
06.07.2007 19:27
They take the money (primarily) from the military for contracts such as 'laundry services' to 'reconstruction'. The US then strips the money out of Iraq to pay for 'occupation costs'.
Fixing a friggin PC on the estate round the corner hardly compares mate.
This is the whole cycle of capitalism that the war was supposed to encourage.
bad danny
Mercenaries, and their Apologists in Local Media
06.07.2007 20:02
otherwise it's this -
Article is entitled "When a Good Day at Work Means Coming Home Alive".
freeluncher
Homepage:
http://talkingliberties.wordpress.com/
my bad
07.07.2007 00:46
That sentence underestimates the British sector. And the international mercenaries that flock there.
"Fixing a friggin PC on the estate round the corner hardly compares mate."
That was my point, why share the same job title with a geek like me when 'Hired Killer' has so much more street cred.
I'd like to point out two things. A relative of mine, or rather someone who married into my family, is a private 'security consultant' there. I've never met him and I hope I never do. And the self-proclaimed Vicar of Baghdad, Canon Andrew White, recently awarded a peace prize to his mercenary bodyguards. That's another funeral I hope to hear about but won't attend. When are Terry Waites CIA files due to be released anyway ? Fucking Christain militants.
Danny