case studies

Security and Protection Services - Iraq

Sallyport Specific Services:

Mobile Security
Static Security
Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Overview:

Sallyport has been providing high-profile movement security, large-scale static security in high threat environments and route/venue risk assessments for its clients in the Middle East since 2004. Current operational locations include the Kurdish Regional Governate (including visits to Kirkuk and Mosul), Basrah, and Baghdad. Sallyport currently secures and operates the largest privately held compound in Baghdad's 'Red Zone'. This compound supports the operations for 3 USAID programs and 1 World Bank program for companies including AECOM, MSI and The Louis Berger Group. Sallyport is a fully-compliant, licensed Private Security Company through the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and a member of the PSCAI (Private Security Contractors Association Iraq)

Scope of Services:

Protective Service Detail (PSD) Services

Sallyport currently operates PSD client convoy movements from Baghdad, Erbil and Basrah. Sallyport's PSD Teams provide safe, affordable travel in armored vehicles for our clients to several venues daily including the International Airports, The International Zone, Iraqi Ministries, U.S. military installations and individual Iraqi farms, banks and places of business to facilitate our client's USAID missions. Each PSD Team includes one certified combat medic

Over the past five years, Sallyport teams have deployed have suffered no client casualties or significant property loss to date and just as importantly Sallyport personnel have never engaged nor harmed any local Iraqis during this period. This performance puts Sallyport and its personnel in the top echelon of security providers in Iraq - the most difficult place in the world to operate.

Our approach in PSD work is to use a relatively lower profile, more respectful attitude in our security work and in our security movements around the city. We aim to avoid overt displays of weaponry and not offend or provoke the local inhabitants. We have been consistently praised by our clients for our professionalism, expertise and restraint of our PSD members.

Static Security

Sallyport employs third country and local national static security guards to protect our venues throughout the country. Each member of the Sallyport guard force has been vetted through their government and has undergone additional training once their employment began with Sallyport to assure the highest quality and safest means of protecting our assets and clientele. All of our static security solutions are supported by site assessments performed by individuals trained in conducting hard site security assessments on high-value target sites. To date, Sallyport has had no significant breaches of security on any of the sites which it provides security. This performance given the challenging operational environment of Iraq is extraordinary.

Risk Assessment and Base Operations

Sallyport maintains a fully operational logistics and security operations center managed by a group of retired Forces personnel which monitors (24/7) and controls all company activities. This cell has multiple methods of communications (Immarsat, VoIP, mobile, Thuraya, VHF) and tracking systems for all moving entities. Sallyport's Operations Center also maintains strong communications and coordination with Coalition resources to include the military and US Embassy. Its Operations Center manages all detailed vetting and personnel records for all local national staff. Sallyport ensures that tall security missions are adequately integrated into DOD coverage by:

• Attending weekly DOD-contracted Regional Operations Center (ROC) meetings
• Uploading convoy schedules to the ROC and obtaining daily ROC security briefings
• Installing ROC-linked transponders in all vehicles
• Developing QRF response drills that include the RSO and Coalition Forces
• Sharing intelligence with local Iraqi and Coalition Force units as appropriate.
• Distributing and updating a list of contact information for all internal and key external parties
• Training of staff on telephone and radio procedures
• Regular reporting or call-in procedures for staff living or traveling in the field

Sallyport senior security staff routinely provides risk assessments for clients and potential clients by gathering venue and route information through both local and military sources. The Sallyport Intel Department conducts detailed Security Risk Analysis and reports on any venue identified by our clients for permanent or semi-permanent occupation. The mentioned report includes a detailed threat assessment according to current/existing Threat Capability vs. Threat Intent analysis as well as a thorough Site & Venue Risk Assessment.

Sallyport employs a full time LRRP Team to visit potential venues prior to the client arrival and will often times survey the venue or area to be visited for several days before providing the security analysis and launching the mission. This same LRRP Team coordinates MSR and ASR checkpoints and potential hazards or 'hotspots' prior to long-range missions.