On November 14, 2007, at approximately 2000 local time in Baghdad, Iraq, a rocket impacted behind the Blackwater operations center, located in a neighborhood inside the so-called “Green Zone”. Unfortunately, the rocket severely damaged a private home near the Blackwater property, engulfing the structure in flames and causing portions of the roof and walls to crumble. Hearing and feeling the blast, Blackwater security professionals from several operational and support teams in the area immediately rushed to assist their Iraqi neighbors. First on the scene were a project manager and team leader who both, unarmed and without protective gear, scaled the closed gate of the damaged home and rushed into the burning, smoke-filled building to provide assistance. Knowing the occupants might be injured or too disoriented to save themselves, Blackwater team members sprung into action and began searching for survivors.

A command from the impact zone for “med bags and personnel” was quickly relayed back to the Blackwater operations center and, in seconds, additional Blackwater personnel arrived on scene to secure the area and assist in treating the injured and traumatized victims. Inside the burning house, team members began a room-by-room search for survivors. This search continued until the rising smoke and heat forced them to withdraw and regroup.

Amid the chaos just outside the house, concerned citizens and other contractor teams working and living in the neighborhood were busy lending assistance, yet all the good Samaritans continued to look to Blackwater team members for leadership and direction. In one such instance, medics form one of the neighboring security teams had set up a medical triage point within the guarded perimeter, yet too close to the burning building. Assisted by Blackwater leadership and protected by Blackwater site security details, the medics were moved to a more secure location and were able to continue to care for their wounded patients in relative safety.

The actions described – similar to events which happen routinely wherever Blackwater security professionals are deployed – are a testament to the professionalism, dedication to duty, and selfless service so prevalent throughout the ranks of Blackwater Worldwide. This was the first of two back to back rocket attacks in the Green Zone where Blackwater personnel were credited with saving lives. The names of all employees involved in this brief story have been omitted to protect the men and women who continue to serve in Iraq in defense of freedom.