About Me

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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A BLESSED, HEALTHY AND SAFE 2012 TO ALL

To all who sent my family and I Christmas and New Year messages and blessings, I need to apologise for not having responded sooner but I was not near my computer...Thank you very much for your messages of friendship, good wishes and support.

Having arrived back home today (3 January 2012), the new year has already started but I wish to offer you and your loved ones my (belated) best New Year’s wishes. I hope that your coming year will be filled with good health, much happiness and that you will all be kept safe.

I was very fortunate during 2011 as I was able to travel to new(ish) places, meet new friends and work alongside them. Of course, there are also those elected officials who believe that they were never elected but born into their positions who severely frowned upon my friends and I. However, it was good to meet them as well – or at least to discover who they are – as it is always better to know who your enemies are than be blissfully unaware of their existence.  

I wish all followers and visitors to my blog a very belated yet blessed Christmas season. To those who did not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason, I hope you had a peaceful festive period. To those who are trapped in the numerous conflicts around the world, I hope that you were able to have some peace.

Thanks again to everyone who took time to read and contribute to this blog throughout the year. Your comments continue to be appreciated and highly valued and continue to allow me to broaden my own scant knowledge base.

To everyone who wrote letters of encouragement re this blog – my thanks to you. To those who continue write “private” mails to me, I hope that you will be able to get rid of the ghosts that haunt your lives. To the many students, I hope that the blog has been able to give you some positive input re your studies.

To all who are deployed in the conflict zones around the world, beit as soldiers, sailors, airmen, law enforcement officers, spooks or PMC contractors, keep your heads down, your eyes peeled and be ready at all times to do what needs to be done. However, let us never forget those who paid with their lives so that others may taste freedom. We must never allow them to be forgotten.

Finally, I would also like to wish each and every one of you – and your loved ones - a great 2012. May the coming year be filled with good health, happiness and safety.

PS: I will soon get to the blog responses I have received. My apologies for not being able to post and respond sooner.

18 comments:

John said...

Good Afternoon Eeben,

Excellent welcome to the new year! Thank you for the good wishes.

Regards,
John

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi John,

Many thanks!

I wish you and yours an equally good 2012.

Rgds,

Eeben

simon said...

Your blog has been very influential on my thinking and I have enjoyed each post. I'm still awaiting your book to come out. In the meantime, I took it upon myself to publish a fictional account of a PMC doing a job in Katanga Province. The response has been much more than I expected. Your writings and blogs were useful in the technical details. If you will allow me, its Task Force Intrepid: The Gold of Katanga on Amazon. Best wishes in your work and personal life.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Simon,

Well done!! I hope your book will be a best seller and the first of many. Is it already available? Let us know.

Rgds,

Eeben

simon said...

yes its available on Amazon as an Ebook. Just type in the title. Task Force Intrepid : The Gold of Katanga. One of the reviewers is an 8 year Green Beret and helped me refine some of the tactical stuff. I have a short story tentatively titled Hotel Liberia and another full length scheduled for June. So many people have been helpful. 99 percent of action/military fiction is focused on Hadji hunting. I think right now I am the only series dealing with Africa. Trying to do it justice. Putting your work out to the masses is like that dream where you go to school in your underwear and cant find any clothes?

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Simon,

I am sure many will now visit Amazon to get a copy. Again, well done!

A lot of today’s writing focuses on Islamic terror – I suppose because it is a subject that is daily in the news and obviously people find it interesting. I however think you may have found yourself a nice area to write on – and this is a very interesting continent with many challenges.

Good luck!

Rgds,

Eeben

Tango said...

Eeben,
Best Wishes to you and your family for 2012
Regards
Tango

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Tango,

Many thanks. I wish you and yours a great 2012 too.

Rgds,

Eeben

Joe1172 said...

Best wishes to you too!
All the best & Greets from Baghdad!
J.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Joe,

Wishing you a good and safe one too.

Take care.

Rgds,

Eeben

Unknown said...

Hi Eeben. This xmas was a trying time and spent alone. It was a solitary walk. Fortunately i have a brieft respite before the next barrage of bad luck kicks in. I have dealt with two very wicked bipolar individuals who made sure i was broken. Its strange how crisis brings enemies together to help those in dire straits. My ex wife stepped up and fetched my mom and took her away from the clutches of evil people. My mind has temporarily found peace. Thank you for your wishes posted on your blog. I am still trying to get your book and hopefully get it signed by you. That would be a gift of note. Your friend Raymond bestowed a truly remarkable gift on you. The art of war you have is truly a work of art. Congratulations. Best regards. Mike(bk nr 32) - down but not out.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Mike,

That is truly sad – I am sorry to hear about your situation and I hope it will get better for you. But, as you did those years ago, hold your head up and remember that even the worst situation eventually passes.

I would be honoured to sign a book for you. I will see if I can find a copy at my local EBs. I’ll let you know but as far as I recall, they are waiting for another reprint – and that will be the fifth reprint. I will keep you posted.

Although I cannot speak for everyone on the blog, I am sure that they, like me, wish you everything of the best and trust that the situation will rapidly improve.

Rgds,

Eeben

Tango said...

Hi Eeben,


I found this link on FB

Regards
Tango
---------------------------------
Mercenary Wars
Just added a photo on the main page of a Remembrance site to the fallen from E.O. May they never be forgotten.

http://www.mercenary-wars.net/e-o/index.html
http://www.mercenary-wars.net/e-o/index.html
www.mercenary-wars.net

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Tango,

Many thanks.

Looking at the memorial on Nic’s farm brought back many memories of good men no longer with us. I was truly saddened to revisit those thoughts but nevertheless pleased to see that their memory lies overlooking a peaceful valley.

May they never be forgotten for the sacrifices they made trying to make our continent a better place. But for the UN and others, Africa may have looked very different than it does now.

Rgds,

Eeben

Anton said...

Hallo Eeben,

This is like the ghost from the past.An incedent in Angola with the Pilatus plane and Daniel Scheurkogel.
After so many years I have wondered if there was any more info that you could disclose. .

Please contact me directly

Kind Regards

Anton Scheurkogel

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Hi Anton,

I will gladly contact you directly. Please send me your email address.

Rgds,

Eeben

safety consultancy service said...

Your blog has been very influential on my thinking and I have enjoyed each post.
security blog

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, SCS. I am pleased that it has had some influence on your thinking.

Rgds,

Eeben