The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq passed the 3,400 mark this week. It's common knowledge that the escalation of troops on the ground has increased the fatality rate over the past few months.
The New York Times reports today that there's also been a big increase in the number of attacks and fatalities involving contractors employed by the U.S. military.
Death Toll for Contractors Reaches New High in Iraq
By JOHN M. BRODER and JAMES RISEN
Published: May 19, 2007
WASHINGTON, May 18 — Casualties among private contractors in Iraq have soared to record levels this year, setting a pace that seems certain to turn 2007 into the bloodiest year yet for the civilians who work alongside the American military in the war zone, according to new government numbers.
At least 146 contract workers were killed in Iraq in the first three months of the year, by far the highest number for any quarter since the war began in March 2003, according to the Labor Department, which processes death and injury claims for those working as United States government contractors in Iraq.
That brings the total number of contractors killed in Iraq to at least 917, along with more than 12,000 wounded in battle or injured on the job, according to government figures and dozens of interviews.
We were told in the early years of the occupation that about 10% of the forces in Iraq were contractors. More recently, that figure was changed to about 50%. This report lends credence to that estimate.
The information about the use of contractors has been largely hidden from the public, as is the case for most of the damage of this invasion and occupation. It's politically convenient to ignore these deaths and their consequences to families and communities.
While the contractors earn far more than military personnel, they don't receive the same benefits when they're injured, thus cutting longterm costs. Their employers, such as KBR or Blackwater, are doing just fine.
There's more to the story at:
NY Times