We arose before dawn to meet our Security Detail for the ride back to the airport. Although there appeared to be more than just a few large commercial craft parked at the gates of the International terminal, including a large 747, our selected mode of travel this morning was a C-130 managed by what‘s affectionately known as “State Air”. 

The number of Private Security Companies operating in Baghdad is surprising and gives way to an appreciation of the magnitude of the mission. Meeting with all of them would have proven infeasible, so we advanced the next best thing by meeting with the President of the PSCAI (Private Security Company Association of Iraq).

Of the more than 7,000 OSAC constituent representatives, a growing number are non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based institutions, or members of academia.