Readers;

This will be my last Blackwater Tactical Weekly, after many years of working on this publication I am putting it in the hands of the professionals that are in the mix every day. I spend too much time paddling, hanging out with my wife and doting on my new granddaughter. It has been a great run and I believe i\this publication will last for many years to come.

Stay safe.

John Adams

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

- John C. Maxwell

Since the early 1990s there has been efforts to review and develop arms-transfer principles and codes of conduct to ensure that arms are not sold to human rights violators. Some major events, summarized, include the following:

When Mexican President Felipe Calderón came into office in December 2006, the issue of security was a major priority on his agenda. Since then, the issue of security in Mexico has grown in importance because of increased violence associated with organized crime and drug trafficking. The United States has been supportive of Calderón's efforts, and Congress and the Bush administration finalized the Mérida Initiative, an assistance package that will provide $400 million in aid to Mexico. Given the current security situation in Mexico, unprecedented levels of cooperation between the United States and Mexico on security issues, and the recent change in administration in the United States, the RAND Corporation assessed Mexico's security situation, its impact on the United States, and potential U.S. policy options.

The study finds there are three priority areas of concern to the United States

When insurgents attacked an American convoy with AK-47 rounds and a couple of grenades on a dusty highway in a Baghdad suburb this week, U.S. soldiers returned fire, chased the suspects through narrow alleyways and raided houses.

Tuesday's clash killed two Iraqi adults and a 14-year-old and wounded four people, including two children.

When the shooting subsided, another confrontation began. A senior Iraqi army commander who arrived at the scene concluded that the Americans had fired indiscriminately at civilians and ordered his men to take the U.S. soldiers into custody.

War in Afghanistan is bewildering to most people, and no less to those who are fighting it. What follows is the experience of one special operations officer: The Tajik guide had been with the unit since the early days of the advance by the Northern Alliance. In the years between, the team had rotated several times and was now in Helmand. The Tajik had become a trusted member of the unit. His English was passable and he could translate Pushtu as well as Dari. He would go anywhere. More than once he had gotten them out of trouble. Then for no apparent reason he went missing, and the team leader --going strictly against regs -- set off alone with some local tribal fighters to find him, or his remains.

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Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Yep - 15 years ago a friend of mine traded me a SOG Knives Pentagon for another knife that I had been carrying. I can't remember now what I traded, but looking back at the performance of the Pentagon I have to believe it was worth it. I still have that Pentagon and it's still in serviceable condition. Given that most knife reviews are done of new or fairly new knives I thought I'd spend a few minutes looking at 15 years of performance, the good, the bad and the ugly. Read on...

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

About two years ago I went on a camping trip with some friends of mine and noticed that one of the campers never left camp without a small pack. When I asked about it he told me it was his "go to hell" bag. The curious look on my face was enough of a question that he expanded on what he meant. Inside that small pack was what he felt he would need to survive an unexpected night out. Now, I've done articles like this before centered around basic survival kits or bug out bags. His "go to hell" bag was different. It was bare minimums tailored to his needs. I had no inputs but will report on it because everyone has different perceived needs.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/campback/gotohell.htm

THE SAGA CONTINUES

My day started very early... Yesterday ended very late. My mind has been filled with thoughts of past service, present service and ??? future service.

Unless you have been there it is difficult to know how the heart of any person feels. If you have been or are there you might already know. I have within me a deep care and concern for the spiritual, physical and emotional welfare of all people, but most especially Peace Keepers... It fills me and creates an intensity of mind and spirit that others call serious, intense or stern... At exactly the same moment I am ecstatically happy and jubilant over the fact that I have peace and health and am able to function well knowing that I am secure in the God with whom I work as my Commander-In-Chief. My Eternal Captain has purchased my security and welfare and given it to me as a gift in which I can live as I do all the many things that are assigned to me.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/Chaplain/072709chaplain.htm

In the military, why would you want big bulky muscles? To get in shape for the military (and basic training), try strengthening your rotator cuffs. Most people think that big bulky muscles equal strength, when in fact the opposite is true in the military.

Extra muscle means extra weight, and you don't want extra weight. You want defined muscles capable of repetitive movements. Your goal is to have enough muscle to push and pull your body weight repetitively with the least amount of resistance (extra weight) as possible. Extra weight will only wear you down. Leave the beach body for later, this article will allow you to increase your repetition counts for upper body movements considerably.

Full Story

Here are some links for charitable organizations.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly 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.

Ever since its founding more than 100 years ago, the VFW has donated millions upon millions of volunteer hours, been a strong supporter of our country's youth, been a major supporter of patriotic and educational efforts and been an unwavering advocate to our military, its veterans, and their families. Of all we do, our programs make the greatest impact on the lives of those we serve and honor.

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The Blackwater Tactical Weekly provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

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