Task Force Shield
Encyclopedia
Task Force Shield was set up by the Coalition Provisional Authority
in 2003 to provide security for Iraq's critical oil infrastructure. The Task Force was originally composed of a small team of American military personnel, contractors from the UK-based firm Erinys International
, and Iraqis hired, trained and supervised by Erinys. The Iraqi force trained by Erinys was called the Oil Protection Force (OPF). After the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred control of Iraq to the Interim Government, the OPF became a subordinate element of Iraq's Ministry of Oil
. The Ministry of Oil did not renew the Erinys contract. Task Force Shield was disbanded in 2005. In April 2006, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction published a report on the activities of Task Force Shield. The report determined that Task Force Shield was ultimately unsuccessful and found that there were indications of potential fraud.
Coalition Provisional Authority
The Coalition Provisional Authority was established as a transitional government following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, members of the Multi-National Force – Iraq which was formed to oust the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003...
in 2003 to provide security for Iraq's critical oil infrastructure. The Task Force was originally composed of a small team of American military personnel, contractors from the UK-based firm Erinys International
Erinys International
Erinys International is a British private security company registered in the British Virgin Islands. The Group operational HQ is in Dubai, UAE and other offices are in Andover, Hampshire and Johannesburg ....
, and Iraqis hired, trained and supervised by Erinys. The Iraqi force trained by Erinys was called the Oil Protection Force (OPF). After the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred control of Iraq to the Interim Government, the OPF became a subordinate element of Iraq's Ministry of Oil
Ministry of Oil (Iraq)
The Ministry of Oil is the Iraqi government agency responsible for Iraqi petroleum. The Minister of Oil since December 21, 2010 is Abdul Karim al-Luaibi.-External links:* by Michael T. Klare, The Huffington Post, July 14 2009...
. The Ministry of Oil did not renew the Erinys contract. Task Force Shield was disbanded in 2005. In April 2006, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction published a report on the activities of Task Force Shield. The report determined that Task Force Shield was ultimately unsuccessful and found that there were indications of potential fraud.
External links
- Cleveland.com Struggling with security
- Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, "Review of Task Force Shield Programs"
Further reading
- Christopher Spearin, ‘A Justified Heaping of the Blaim?,’ chapter in Donald Stoker, Military Advising and Assistance, Routledge, 2008