Gadaffi convoy = SA mercenaries?

[Palimino]

The whole purpose of their job is to protect - not to protect when bugger-all is happening, that would be kind of pointless...

A sign of successful protection is when ‘bugger-all’ is happening.

If they decided to evacuate, why didn't they take him with?

They may well have. Gadaffi may have expected to be carried or something. He would have been an entitled pain-in-the-butt. This was on open ground (desert) and NATO jets would have been after them because they had Gadaffi (the target). How long would they have lasted with the prime target with them?

Back to my original point. They could die meaninglessly. They chose not to. Without Gadaffi they stood a chance because NATO wouldn’t pursue them. Survival was at stake.

 

[xrapidx]

The following is merely opinion and speculation mixed, as the facts are not available yet for perusal.

Being a staged attack by NATO, one would believe the rebels weren't far off at all. Probably within danger close. (Not like NATO gives a crap about collateral in this case, imo).
It is very likely that Gadaffi was pulled and evacuated from targeted zone by his guards. Not knowing his specific training, but assuming nonetheless, he probably panicked and ran. He was found by the rebels where he was hiding in a sewer outlet pipe.

Upon the capture of Gadaffi, the mercs truely had no further recourse at all. Killing an entire mob of armed rebels along with civilians mixed in, is just not an option at all.

There is of course also the paranoid alternative, where they were all briefed to allow him to get captured...
Just remember that these mercs did not work for Gadaffi. They work for a PMC. Gadaffi is not their boss, merely their mission.
Exactly what the mission details are, will only ever be known to those involved.

Fair enough - I still recon its a bit slack if the disappeared with little attempt at protecting him.

And the paranoid alternative probably isn't that paranoid - its the first thing that crossed my mind when I read about it.

 

[wheunis]

Fair enough - I still recon its a bit slack if the disappeared with little attempt at protecting him.

And the paranoid alternative probably isn't that paranoid - its the first thing that crossed my mind when I read about it.

If the package takes off into danger by himself, you have very little choice.
Choice #1: Take off after him, risking yourself needlessly. (You WILL get killed)
Choice #2: Shoot him in the hip and evac over shoulder.

Problem is, like Palimino said, you will now be carrying the target of the airstrikes.
They (NATO) WILL persue. The rebels WILL persue. You are outmanned, outgunned, and no enforced support to rely on.

Sometimes, it's better to know when to stop...

 

[The_Mowgs]

I highly doubt they were paid R5m each. I don't know where that figure comes from but it may be the value of the entire contract to the PMC. The per diem for the operators would have been in the region of $600-$1200 a day at most. And that buys a primo tier-1 PSD.

A guy I know was supposed to go but due to his wife's health problems he had to stay.

 

[zippy]

Reminds me of another convoy travelling through Bop some years ago. Idiots.

 

[sutekj]

Exactly what their jobs were before being attacked by NATO.

Do you think there was an exclusion in their agreement with Gadaffi that said, "Should NATO attack you are free to bugger off".

No money in the world would convince a sane person to stay in the face of certain death. Gadhaffi must have know that.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

I've taken a bullet or two for dragging someone out of danger. Bullet is very survivable...
On the other hand, Darren... Is that a fuggin JET?!?!?!?!

Taking a bullet or 2, and neutralizing the threat, that's the objective. So, exactly how many Airstrikes do you think the average man can "tank"? And then still stand up and with minimal weaponry at his disposal, neutralize the threat?

EDIT-in-Afterthought: There is a fine line as a merc, between doing your job, being brave, and going home in pieces packed in a plastic bag...

Just wondering what military training you have?

 

[xrapidx]

No money in the world would convince a sane person to stay in the face of certain death. Gadhaffi must have know that.

Just respawn?