Dubai
based company in security missions to Iraq
Posted: 26 February 2004
A Hong Kong based security company, Hill & Associates (H&A)
with it’s regional headquarters in Dubai is escorting employees
of multinational companies in and out of Iraq.
In support of their clients two of the companies officers will
be returning to war-torn Baghdad in the coming days.
The company first entered Iraq six months ago behind the American
and British Forces. It now makes regular trips either by road from
Kuwait or Jordan or by air into the capital.
So far it has made six trips into Iraq, each with two or three
people under protection, the trips lasting 10-15 days. Most employees
being whisked in and out are from international telecommunications,
oil & gas, financial and construction companies looking to support
the rebuilding phase in Iraq.
Hill & Associates are linked to a number of international companies
conducting work in Iraq in the rebuilding process and boast a wide
client base of multinationals.
The company is committed to Iraq in the long-term to provide security
support to their client base in the reconstruction and rehabilitating
of the country.
With current operations seen as the initial step into the Iraq
market Hill & Associates are deepening their commitment to security
in the region which also sees them operating in the UAE, Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan amongst many other areas.
As the number of foreign contractors entering Iraq has risen so
has the frequency of attacks against them and those supporting the
rebuilding efforts in the country. As such the majority now require
armed security in order to satisfy insurance requirements for working
in Iraq. That is where Hill & Associates step in.
Armoured vehicles, armed guards and “safe houses” are
standard on every trip where everyone wears body armour. Security
coverage is 24-hours and only already proven safe areas are used
for overnight accommodation. With ex-Special Forces drivers and
security officers, who have a detailed knowledge of Iraq, in support
of clients all aspects of security are catered for including medical
emergencies and evacuations.
Satellite telephones are also essential because mobile phone signals
to not penetrate the country much beyond 30km of the border and
the new Iraqi GSM networks do not as yet give full coverage.
All the Iraq operations are supported by Iliyas Campbell, ex-British
army and an Arabic speaker, through the Regional Office in Dubai
and by H&A’s permanent Baghdad-based colleague Richard
Hancock, a former Hong Kong police counter-terrorism team member.
Hancock selects his escort team from the companies wide pool of
former police, army and special forces staff, based on the skills
needed for each trip.
In an environment where little can be guaranteed, prior planning
and specialist skills are essential to ensure success.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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