Names Named: The 30 Blackwater Front Companies — And Some Of Their Aircraft

The “Xe Services” rebranding campaign evidently wasn’t enough to improve the “optics” of America’s most infamous mercenary corporation, Blackwater.

On Friday, Jim Risen and Mark Mazzetti of the The New York Times reported that Blackwater established a network of front companies to ensure that company founder Erik Prince keeps winning government contracts, even after its brand name has become synonymous with shadinessbrutality and murder.

The NYT kindly linked to a copy of the US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing transcript (pdf). But one key piece of information was missing from the story (and illegible in the source documents): The names of the 30 Blackwater/Xe front companies.

No worries—I got ‘em.

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[/visitor]In the Feb. 24 committee hearing on Blackwater front companies, US Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, lectured Blackwater executive Fred Roitz on its whack-a-mole corporate strategy:

“It is not so simple, Mr. Roitz, as changing your name. If it could be so simple… The way you restore your reputation is not by changing your name. The way you restore your reputation is by changing the way you do business…

“I think you are wasting a lot of money on lawyers changing names. I think you could invest that money in quality control and accountability and probably do much better for your company than just thinking you can do it by changing a name.”

These names may be a little more than a year out of date, since the relevant page in the SASC hearing report is dated Aug. 7, 2009. Nevertheless, they offer a good list of places to start digging. (Only about one-third of these names are currently listed on Blackwater’s lengthy Wikipedia entry.)

Each of the following companies, and their respective officers, may be tied to further contracts with the US government—and, given Blackwater’s history, god-knows-what else.

From the NYT:

While it is not clear how many of those businesses won contracts, at least three had deals with the United States military or the Central Intelligence Agency, according to former government and company officials…

The network of companies — which includes several businesses located in offshore tax havens — allowed Blackwater to obscure its involvement in government work from contracting officials or the public, and to assure a low profile for any of its classified activities…

What new front companies have sprouted in the last year? Where do they own property? What contracts have they won? Where are they operating? Which politicians have they given money to? Piecing those facts together is part of the mission of this site.

Since several of the Blackwater fronts explicitly concern aviation, I started by searching Federal Aviation Administration records for craft registered to any of the following companies. The results of that search—at least, the 79 aircraft most clearly linked to a Blackwater affiliate—follow the list of companies below.

This could be very useful information. Retracing the path of aircraft thought to be used by intelligence agencies and their contractors—through their unique FAA N-numbers—is how investigative reporters like Stephen Grey began to unravel the US practice of “extraordinary rendition” of terrorist suspects.

BLACKWATER FRONTS

Prince Group LLC Michigan LLC President: Erik D. Prince Description of Services: Manager of Xe Services LLC, and the parent company of Total Intelligence Solutions LLC and its affiliated companies

Xe Services LLC (f/k/a EP Investments, L.L.C.) Delaware LLC Member: Erik D. Prince Manager: Prince Group, LLC President: Joseph Yorio Ex. VP/COO: Danielle Esposito Ex. VP/CSO: Fred Roitz Sr. VP/Facility Svcs & Logistics: Todd Shaw CFO: Mike Taylor VP Facility Services: Jim Dehart VP Export Compliance: Karen Jones VP Risk Manager: Bryan Salek VP of Budgets and Analysis: John Altizer VP of WPPS Programs: Tony Valusek Acting General Counsel: David Hammond Secretary: Fred Roitz Description of Services: Provides private sector solutions to US Government and Non-US Government clients

Total Intelligence Solutions LLC Chairman: Erik D. Prince Acting Pres: Victor Esposito Acting COO: Melinda Redman Secretary: Melinda Redman Description of Services: Provides risk management and security services to Fortune 500 and Government clients

Technical Defense, Inc. Chairman: Erik D. Prince Acting Pres: Victor Esposito Acting COO: Melinda Redman Secretary: Melinda Redman Description of Services: Provides information technology security assessments

Terrorism Research Center, Inc. Chairman: Erik D.Prince Acting Pres: Victor Esposito Acting COO: Melinda Redman Secretary: Melinda Redman Description of Services: Provides training services to US and foreign military, intelligence communities, and law enforcement clients

Apex Management Solutions LLC Delaware LLC Member: XeServices LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC President/Secretary/Treasurer: Pending Description of Services: Provides management services to Samarus-owned companies

Aviation Worldwide Services LLC Florida LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Richard Pere Description of Services: Holding company that owns subordinate operating companies, some aircraft utilized by its subordinates

Air Quest, Inc. Florida Corp. Shareholder: AWS President: Richard Pere VP: Timothy Childrey Secretary: John Hight Treasurer: Richard Pere Description of Services: FAA Part 125 aircraft carrier [check for planes]

Backup Training LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC President: Richard Gallia Description of Services: Creates instructional videos and DVD’s

EP Aviation LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Managers: Chris Burgess & Robert Tanenholt Description of Services: Owns and leases aircraft [check planes]

Presidential Airways Inc. Florida Corp. Shareholder: AWS President: Richard Pere VP: Timothy Childrey Secretary: John Hight Treasurer: Richard Pere Description of Services: FAA Part 135 aircraft carrier [check planes]

Blackwater Proshop LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Michele Bogo Description of Services: Retail shop for Blackwater, US Training Center and Xe items

EP Management Services LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Managers: Xe Services LLC Description of Services: Provides management and general and administrative services to all Xe companies

Guardian Flight Systems LLC (f/k/a Blackwater Airships LLC) Delaware LLC Member: AWS Manager: Richard Pere Description of Services: Unmanned airships [check planes]

BWT Services LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC President: Carol Bruce Description of Services: Supports travel all Xe companies

GSD Manufacturing LLC (f/k/a Blackwater Target Systems LLC) Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Servcies LLC Description of Services: Builds target systems

STI Aviation Inc. Florida Corp. Shareholder: AWS President: Richard Pere VP: Timothy Childrey Secretary: John Hight Treasurer: Richard Pere Description of Services: FAA Part 145 repair station [check planes]

E & J Holdings LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC Description of Services: Real Estate holding company

Samarus CO LTD Cyprus Member: Xe Services LLC Director: Chris Burgess Description of Services: Foreign holding company

Greystone LTD Barbados Chris Burgess, Managing Director Robert Tanenholt, Director Description of Services: Provides training, security services, and aviation-related training and personnel

E & J Leasing LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC Description of Services: Real Estate leasing company

XPG LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Acting Manager: Victor Esposito Description of Services: Provides classified services

Greystone SRL Barbados Chris Burgess, Manager Robert Tanenholt, Manager Description of Services: Provides training and security services

Paravant LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Hugh Middleton Description of Services: Provides training services

Pelagian Maritime LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC Description of Services: Holding company/owner of the McArthur ship

Salamis Aviation LLC Bahamas Chris Burgess, President Description of Services: Aviation asset holding company [check planes]

Al-Zulama Company Iraq Chris Burgess, Managing Director Description of Services: Provides security services within the country of Iraq

Raven Development Group LLC Delaware LLC Member: Xe Services LLC Manager: Xe Services LLC Description of Services: Provides construction and facilities maintenance

U.S.Training Center, Inc. (f/k/a Blackwater Lodge and Training Center, Inc.) Delaware Corp President: Jim Sierawski VP: John LaDelfa Secretary: Fred Roitz Treasurer: Adam Burke Description of Services: Provides security, training, and logistics services

Blackwater West LLC Delaware LLC Member: U.S.T.C. Manager: U.S.T.C. Description of Services: Provides same services as USTC for California and surrounding western states

ARES Holdings, Inc. Virginia LLC (49% ownership) Description of Services: Engineering and R&D company

Blackwater Security Consulting LLC Delaware LLC Member: U.S.T.C. Manager: U.S.T.C Description of Services: Provides training and security services

Source: SASC-014704

BLACKWATER AIRCRAFT

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N# Serial Make Model Registered Owner

181DA

790

PILATUS

PC-6/B2-H2

XE AVIATION LLC

314TG

31400082

EMBRAER-EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE

EMB-314B1

XE AVIATION LLC

81WS

TT-480A

SWEARINGEN

SA227-TT

XE AVIATION LLC

989BW

208B1058

CESSNA

208B

BLACKWATER LODGE AND TRAINING CENTER S-CORP

6542B

400-001

BLACKWATER AIRSHIPS LLC

POLAR 400

BLACKWATER AIRSHIPS LLC

10241

1472

AEROSPATIALE

SA330J PUMA

EP AVIATION LLC

10248

1502

AEROSPATIALE

SA330J PUMA

EP AVIATION LLC

103WF

61766

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

107X

33113

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

108X

33115

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

116AZ

61242

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

1202T

33112

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

1269J

012

CASA

CN235

EP AVIATION LLC

126PA

33168

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

150RN

086

BOEING / DEHAVILLAND

DHC-8-103

EP AVIATION LLC

2148K

36001

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

21498

36003

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

2149S

36002

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

2258F

33073

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

22608

33075

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

2261D

33076

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

2357G

309

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

C-212-CD

EP AVIATION LLC

261F

61771

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

2696S

235-007

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

CN-235

EP AVIATION LLC

2783R

1592

S.N.I.A.S

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

28014

28118

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

2851T

1499

S.N.I.A.S

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

308RD

265

BOEING OF CANADA/DEHAV DIV

DHC-8-102

EP AVIATION LLC

33008

36004

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

330KW

1418

S.N.I.A.S

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

3540R

28110

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

364FH

61718

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

380SA

1422

AEROSPATIALE

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

3893L

33006

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

3893N

33010

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

3897N

28106

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

390SA

1450

AEROSPATIALE

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

391AL

28103

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

408FS

61361

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

408HH

61716

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

410GH

61749

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

4399T

393

C A S A

C-212-DF

EP AVIATION LLC

5205C

0015F

HUGHES

369F

EP AVIATION LLC

530JC

0080FF

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO

369FF

EP AVIATION LLC

5748M

28102

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

59806

28140

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

605R

1358

AEROSPATIALE

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

612RM

61744

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

61NH

61474

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

6369C

379

C A S A

C-212-DF

EP AVIATION LLC

6559Z

36019

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

6973C

1434

S.N.I.A.S

SA330J

EP AVIATION LLC

7128R

36007

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

725JH

61775

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

801LR

047

DEHAVILLAND

DHC-8-103

EP AVIATION LLC

8045T

28101

BELL

214ST

EP AVIATION LLC

810LR

003

DEHAVILLAND

DHC-8-103

EP AVIATION LLC

905AL

61717

SIKORSKY

S-61N

EP AVIATION LLC

955BW

DC821B

FAIRCHILD

SA227-DC (C26B)

EP AVIATION LLC

956BW

DC864B

FAIRCHILD

SA227-DC

EP AVIATION LLC

961BW

248

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

C-212-CC

EP AVIATION LLC

962BW

290

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

CASA-212-200

EP AVIATION LLC

963BW

320

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

C-212-CC

EP AVIATION LLC

966BW

289

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

CASA-212-200

EP AVIATION LLC

967BW

304

C A S A

C-212-CD

EP AVIATION LLC

969BW

262

CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS SA

CASA-212-200

EP AVIATION LLC

971BW

0066FF

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO

369FF

EP AVIATION LLC

972BW

0105FF

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO

369FF

EP AVIATION LLC

975BW

0103FF

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO

369FF

EP AVIATION LLC

979BW

33111

BELL

412

EP AVIATION LLC

982BW

C010

CASA

CN-235-10

EP AVIATION LLC

970BW

0006F

HUGHES HELICOPTERS INC

369FF

AVIATION WORLDWIDE SERVICES LLC

974BW

0139FF

MD HELICOPTER INC

369FF

AVIATION WORLDWIDE SERVICES LLC

18MX

117

DASSAULT-BREGUET

FALCON 10

AIR QUEST LLC

350RP

42046

LANCAIR COMPANY

LC42-550FG

AIR QUEST AVIATION LLC

425E

425-0096

CESSNA

425

AIR QUEST AVIATION LLC

6556G

15072056

CESSNA

150L

AIR QUEST AVIATION LP

970BW

0006F

HUGHES HELICOPTERS INC

369FF

AVIATION WORLDWIDE SERVICES LLC

974BW

0139FF

MD HELICOPTER INC

369FF

AVIATION WORLDWIDE SERVICES LLC

Source: FAA