IraqSlogger

[Lanya]

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After enduring three days of rocket attacks on the Green Zone, Slogger sources report that contractors billeted inside the Zone may take matters into their own hands if the U.S. Army does not do something to better secure the area.

A source with a security company based inside the Green Zone reports that one of his fellow American contractors was killed Monday while lying on his bed talking on the phone to his wife. On Tuesday, shrapnel reportedly injured more Americans. On Wednesday a rocket killed a group of TCNs or Third country nationals.
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http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/2624/Green_Zone_Under_Fire

[BT]

The rest of the story and not a bad idea:

A security company approached the US military on Thursday to discuss the matter, and was told that the resources are not available to prevent the attacks. The contractor reportedly offered to use his men to begin undertaking countermeasures if the military was unable to provide security, but the idea was not an item of serious discussion.

One source tells me there is a simple solution, but the US military is failing to pursue it. "It doesn't take much to solve this problem. Snipers in overwatch positions. We are ready to do it--just waiting for approval."

Contractors are both trained, equipped and ready to provide overwatch to take out the hit and run rocket brigades as a self-defense measure, but indications are that they may just have to hunker down and endure for the moment.

"We are getting tired of it and feel that we can stop it within 24 to 48 hours," says one contractor not looking forward to another sleepless night.

[Lanya]

What I wondered was why do the contractors have to try to convince the military to let them help stop this?

[Plane]

What I wondered was why do the contractors have to try to convince the military to let them help stop this?

It is important that authority be properly vested and permission for a change in rules of engageent come from apprpiate level of authority.


It would also be nice if this authority were responsive to need with little delay.

[Lanya]

I guess what I also wonder is this:
Why does the U.S. military not already take care of this problem?  They know about it. They know how to set up what the contractors were talking about.  If they don't want the contractors to do it, why don't they (the U.S. military) do it?  Is it lack of manpower, lack of effective leadership, poor communication, lack of will, what? I don't really get it.  At all.
Oh the other thing that occurred to me; is this only happening to the contractors?