War Stories: Working as a 'hired gun' in Iraq

A celebration following the murder of 4 Blackwater private security personnel in 2004

After leaving the Army, James Ashcroft worked in security protection in Iraq. The former captain, who reveals his experiences in a new book, says the dangerous but lucrative work attracts thousands of ex-soldiers from the UK.

"The silence ended with a terrific explosion as the car vanished in a violent cloud of smoke and flame. The car bomb was followed instantly by small-arms fire from the flat-roofed building."

Vivid descriptions of conflict fill 'Making a Killing', but James Ashcroft, writing under a pseudonym, is remembering scenes from his 18 months as a private security contractor rather than his six years in the Army.

James, 38, who served in Bosnia and West Belfast, returned to his original career of law after resigning his commission.

But in his book, he says the "excitement of civvy street faded in about five minutes" and he was soon fed-up with "the harrowing commute on a filthy transport system".

It was therefore not a difficult decision when a friend from his former regiment telephoned in 2003 to ask if he wanted to work as a security contractor in Baghdad.

He told the BBC News website that his UK employer Spartan protected politicians, journalists and people involved in Iraq's reconstruction.

Taken on for their military backgrounds and expertise, "hired guns" were paid between $500 (£265) and $1,000 (£530) a day to provide armed protection.

Trouble spots

"The press wanted to get out to the trouble spots to see what was going on and get the best quotes and sound bites. And those involved in reconstruction needed to get out to different areas to see what damage had been done," he said.

He said the firm also "very quickly" became involved in raising and training the Iraqi guard force.

Read the rest at the BBC