How restrictive are Blackwater’s rules of engagement for using force? Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from Blackwater’s home state of North Carolina, asked Prince what he meant by the “use of force continuum” that his contractors in Iraq used. Are their rules dictated by the State Department? “Yes sir,” Prince replied.
Are they similar to the Defense Department’s rules of engagement? McHenry asked.
“Yes, they’re essentially the same,” Prince said — before correcting himself. “Sorry, that’s the Department of Defense rules for contractors. We do not have the same rules as soldiers.”
Late Update: Prince just testified that State’s ROE is limited to “– defensive fire, sufficient force to extricate ourselves from situation.”
