Readers,

Welcome to another morning of the Blackwater Tactical Weekly. I would like to spend a couple of lines thanking all the people that work so hard week in and out making this possible. Jennifer G., Bevan, Jacquie, Chaplain Staton, Frank Borelli and others who I can just not remember this early on Monday morning. Without their dedication and hard work we would never get this done every week.

I have seen a schedule for two shows coming in the near term, the SOFIC show at Tampa and the NRA show in Phoenix. The US Training Center will be represented and should you be in the area please stop by.

Stay safe.

John Adams
Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@ustraining.com

"We live in a stage of politics, where legislators seem to regard the passage of laws as much more important than the results of their enforcement."

 William Howard Taft

On sale this week is the 5.11 Professional Polo with distinctive Blackwater logo on left chest. Sale price is $17.50, regular price is $35.00.

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Colors available are black and tan.

Offer good on orders placed before April 13, 2009. Please use PROMO code 50Off to receive the sale price.

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Avoiding a collision course in US-Pakistan relations

The long-awaited new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that President Barack Obama will be in the process of unveiling by the time this comes into print is the clearest signal yet that the Obama administration intends to dedicate the time, resources, and US leadership necessary to stabilise the region and contain the terrorist threat in South Asia.

The new plan will likely reflect a shift in US strategy towards more regional diplomacy and civilian aid to both countries, but less tolerance for the continued existence of militant sanctuaries on the Pakistani side of the border.

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The School Shooter: A THREAT ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE

Why would a student bring a weapon to school and without any explicable reason open fire on fellow students and teachers? Are school shooters angry? Are they crazy? Is their motive revenge? Hatred for the victims? A hunger for attention? The origins of human violence are complex. Thinkers, historians, and scientists have explored the issue for centuries, but answers remain elusive. The roots of a violent act are multiple, intricate, and intertwined. The mix of factors varies according to the individual and the circumstances. Understanding violence after it has occurred is difficult enough. Trying to assess a threat and keep it from being carried out is even more of a challenge.

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IN SEARCH OF D.B. COOPER
New Developments in the Unsolved Case

Electron microscopes, dollar bills on a fishing pole, and a French Canadian comic book hero are providing tantalizing new insights into one of our greatest unsolved mysteries—the D.B. Cooper case.
We’ve told the story here before—how in 1971 a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked a plane from Portland to Seattle, demanded parachutes and $200,000 in cash, then jumped into the night with the money, never to be seen again.

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Search Newspaper Articles about Terrorism in more than 15,000 Historical Newspaper Pages.

Newspaper articles about terrorism detail events that have shaped the world we live in today. Although terrorism has come to the forefront of American life in recent years, it is in no way a new addition to the concerns of American citizens both at home and abroad. While more recent attacks such as the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 and the attacks of September 11, 2001 have put a new face on terrorism in America, history shows that terrorism has been a part of our lives for well over a century.

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FBI Nabs Robbers with Google Map, Spycam Mashup

G-Men these days have to focus more on stopping terrorists than nabbing old-school bank robbers. So FBI agents in Arkansas are enlisting the online public's help in catching the thieves. And it appears to be working. Four bank robberies have been solved in the past six months, thanks in part to tips collected from BanditTrackerArkansas.com, Little Rock special agent Steven Burroughs tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. In all, 10 suspected robbers featured on the site are now behind bars.

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FORT BELVOIR, Va. — after seven years of combat, the Army is sending soldiers to Afghanistan with tougher, lighter gear to help them deal with the rugged, high terrain. Everything from boots to pants to mountaineering equipment is being redesigned as the military prepares to send 21,000 more service members there by summer. Each new piece of equipment must balance the protection it offers with the weight it adds to a soldier's burden.

The weight of soldiers' gear has become a top concern for the Army. This month, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, told U.S. senators the average soldier's load of rucksack, weapon, ammunition, helmet and gear can top 130 pounds. That weight makes soldiers tired and more prone to injury, Chiarelli said.

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CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The two security forces teams entered the village carefully and systematically, not sure what to expect. They received intelligence regarding hostile forces in the area, and they stuck together as they entered buildings. 

A smoke grenade masked their entry into the village when mayhem commenced as explosions and small arms fire began what would turn into a lengthy firefight. The 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron would emerge victorious, although they took one "casualty" in the process. 

They had to evacuate Tech. Sgt. Michael Cline, 27 SOSFS, to the aircraft, which was compromised by enemy forces. 

Full Story

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Yep, I know: last week it was pants. Well, the sign says, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" so actually pants are the one thing you DON'T need (apparently). If you’re a fan of "tactical" shirts then read on. If you're considering adding some to your wardrobe, read on. If you've never wanted to conceal anything, carry it conveniently, or just look good in a shirt that matches your EOTAC pants, then you can stop here. The one question I've found myself asking is, "Where can I get them embroidered?"

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

A few years ago I had the honor of reviewing a knife designed and manufactured to honor the first Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan. This week I have a similar honor as I review the Marc Lee Glory Knife - designed by Eddie Killian and manufactured by Benchmade to honor the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. It is serendipitous that Benchmade would decide to produce the knife honoring a Navy SEAL who was originally from Oregon (given that Benchmade is HQd there). Let's take a look at the knife, Eddie's motivations, and what changes were made between first prototype and production model.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:
http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/toolknife/ekbmseal.htm

SUPPORT

TO AND FOR PEACE KEEPERS OF THE MILITARY AND ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ALL LEVELS AND ALL OF THOSE IN THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND ALL WHO CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEIR WELFARE.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.ustraining.com/btw2009/article/040609chaplain.htm

The CrossFit Journal

The CrossFit Journal is the largest high-quality fitness library on the net. Growing daily, hundreds of articles and thousands of comments document the various aspects of forging elite fitness for athletes and trainers.

Individual articles are published online on a continual basis, instead of emailed collectively as monthly issues. Each article has a short description along with a link (or links) to download the actual article. Only subscribers can comment on the articles, but those comments are visible to everyone. Plus, the entire CrossFit Journal back catalog is now available for subscribers. That's right; every article ever published in the Journal is now archived on this site for your discovery and study.

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Here are some links for charitable organizations.

Blackwater does not endorse any organization over another nor encourage charitable contributions, we provide these links as a public service, and take no responsibility for the actual sites. Although we strive to validate the sites before linking we caution you to do your own research, as the internet is ripe with scams.

Benefit Fund for Officer El-Shami

On the morning of March 25th 2009, Officer El-Shami was requested for backup to conduct a well-being check on a possible suicidal man. The local Police Departments and Sheriffs Department were unaware that this individual had already taken the life of one individual. As Officer El-Shami arrived at the end of the driveway to a possible location where the suspect may be. He let dispatch know his location but before anyone else could arrived he was ambushed. At least 5 rounds penetrated his cruiser, shattering the glass, one narrowly missing him and hitting his headrest. Another round struck the driver side pillar, and fragmented. The fragmented bullet entered both of Officer El-Shami’s eyes, causing catastrophic damage to the left eye, and severe damage to the right. It is unknown at this time how much vision he will regain in the right eye.

How you can help: A fund has been setup to help assist with any personal expenses that insurance will not cover.

FUND: Sherif El-Shami Benefit Account
WHERE: Wachovia Bank
ACCOUNT: No. 1010235907420, c/o Orange City Police Department

Full Story

Oxymoron #14 "Common Sense"

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