Don't Freak Out.....

Civilian contractor shot dead on US base in Iraq

(AP) – 7 hours ago

BAGHDAD — A civilian contractor was shot and killed Sunday on an American military base in the Iraqi city of Tikrit and a U.S. soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, the military said.
The contractor was shot at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Speicher, the military said in a statement.
Houston-based KBR confirmed the man killed was one of its employees, 27-year-old Lucas Vinson from Louisiana.
"As the Army is leading the investigation of the incident, KBR is not providing further comment at this time," spokeswoman Heather Browne said in an e-mailed statement. "We are of course fully cooperating with the Army on its continued investigation."
Maj. Derrick Cheng, a public affairs officer, said a soldier had been detained in connection with the incident, but that he could not divulge any more information while the investigation is ongoing.
"We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the individual," he said.
A statement by the family e-mailed to The Associated Press by Vinson's brother, Wesley Vinson, said that Lucas Vinson was from Leesville, Louisiana.
"He was a friend to everyone who knew him, a peace-maker, a great big brother with a heart of gold," said the statement. The family said he loved to travel and wanted to visit as many countries as he could.
Wesley Vinson declined to comment beyond what was in the statement.
The U.S. military makes wide use of contractors in Iraq for security, technical support and supply functions.
KBR is the primary support contractor in Iraq, providing troops with essential services, including housing, meals, mail delivery and laundry.
As of June 30, 1,395 civilian employees of U.S. government contractors had been killed in Iraq, according to an AP count.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 

RIP Lucas Vinson  

This happened at Camp Speicher, 75 km northwest of where I have been living at JBB.  What is happening over here??  This is why I sit with my back to the wall and not in the middle of the room at the DFAC.  Everyone has a weapon, everyone has rounds, everyone is stressed out and has been over here way too long.  All it takes is to find out that your wife is leaving you for the mailman and taking your five kids with her.  Oh by the way, she emptied the checking account too.  Add that to not being able to get home in time to save your marriage and your way of life, and you have a powder keg waiting for a match.