BAGHDAD — The United States has provided details of the mission of
a major private security contractor in Iraq.
The U.S. embassy said five victims of a helicopter crash on Jan. 23 were
employees of Blackwater USA. Blackwater has been a leading U.S. security
contractor in Iraq and responsible for VIP and site security.
In a statement on Jan. 24, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad,
cited Blackwater's mission during the helicopter strike. Khalilzad said the
Blackwater employees protected U.S. diplomats in Iraq.
"They were killed during an attack on a security detail in eastern
Baghdad where two embassy employees were attending a routine meeting," the
ambassador said. "One individual was shot while flying in a helicopter
trying to protect the building during the attack."
"The other four were in a second helicopter which crashed under heavy
gunfire," the statement added. "Two other individuals were wounded in the
attack."
Officials said Blackwater operated three helicopters in support of a VIP
ground escort at Fadhil. They said two of the helicopters were struck by
Sunni ground fire. One helicopter swerved into a power line and one
person was killed.
The pilot of the second helicopter was killed by ground fire and the
aircraft crashed.
Two Sunni insurgency groups claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two of the employees were treated at a hospital and released. The U.S.
embassy said an investigation was taking place.
"They represent the best of America, showing valor and courage in the
work they did each day," Khalilzad said.