Ms Sparky’s Request For Information
Unless you have been stranded on a deserted island somewhere, you couldn’t help but hear the negative news coverage on KBR this past month. There’s the whole unresolved and questionable Level III CAR issue. The criminal investigation into SSG Ryan Maseth’s electrocution. Then an Indiana National Guard unit filed suit against KBR for knowingly exposing them to Hexavalent Chromium. Then there are the problems with KBR’s labor contractor Najlaa and their human trafficking issues. There’s the whole Burn Pit issues. And don’t forget the dogs and the human body parts issue. Poor ole KBR just can’t catch a break. They have just had the worst luck this month with public relations. And Heather Brown is starting to sound like Baghdad Bob….
Baghdad Bob: “There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!”
Heather Brown: “KBR does not in any way condone or tolerate illegal or unethical behavior.”
Does anyone else see the similarities there? I could go on and on but that’s not what this post is about.
We need more information from YOU!! We need first hand accounting’s, internal emails, photos, reports on the following just to name a few:
KBR’s Level III/IV CAR, Task Force Safe, the electrical inspections, KBR’s response to the CAR, KBR’s response to the electrical inspections.
Information regarding the investigation into SSG Ryan Maseth’s electrocution death at Radwaniyah Palace Compound.
Information regarding the investigation into SSG Christopher Everett’s electrocution death at Camp Taqqadum.
Anything on the burns pits at Balad or anywhere else.
Anything on Hexavalent Chromium (Sodium Dichromate) exposure at Qarmat Ali water plant in Iraq, any other locations in Iraq, Baghram AFB or any other locations in Afghanistan.
Anything on human trafficking and TCN/SCW abuses in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
This list is not “all inclusive”. If you have information about fraud, waste or abuse or something that is unethical or immoral. Leave a comment or send me an email. I will do my best to get you in touch with the right investigative committee or the news media. NO MORE SECRETS!!! You may think your information is not important. But maybe combined with other information it is the key!!!
Do not let KBR intimidate you.
Ms Sparky
No related posts
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:18 am |
i sent you a email. i have information about kbr. get me in touch.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I got it…I’ll be in touch SOON!
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:21 am |
I am glad to see the media finally getting on the ball. I called CNN about the human trafficking when I was in Iraq. KBR is lying if they say they don’t condone it or if they didn’t know about it.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I emailed CNN too!! 2005 I think. About the deplorable living conditions of our TCN’s. Better late than never!
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:41 am |
KBR doesn’t run the Balad burn pit, never has. The Air Force turned it over to a Third Country National construction company sometime in 2007 [don't know the exact date, wasn't there at the time.]
The Balad burn pit is actually that company’s “flagship project.” They’ve made brochures and powerpoint presentations on it. When I left, they were pushing hard to get all the burn pit contracts in Iraq.
Personally, I hope they do. They really turned that place around. They were planting trees and clearing ground for a tennis court when I left.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Was this contractor actually sub contracted to the Air Force or KBR?
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 8:58 am |
I just received an email “cautioning” me about requesting information on KBR’s Level III CAR and Task Force Safe because that’s “Classified” information. My response to that is Bullsh*t! That’s not classified information. Nothing about KBR’s CAR and Task Force Safe is classified. It may be proprietary. It may be embarrassing. It may be humiliating, but it’s not classified. If it were, every person on Task Force Safe and in KBR would be required to have a Secret or Top Secret Clearance. They don’t!
Here are the definitions for the three levels.
(1) “Top Secret” shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
(2) “Secret” shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
(3) “Confidential” shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.
This information does not meet the criteria. WE need to stop letting KBR hide behind this “it’s classified” lie! And it’s not just KBR that’s using it.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 10:36 am |
Bet the email came from either KBR or a manager at KBR…
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I don’t think so….there were no misspelled words. I’m thinking it came from the DCMA. Did I spell that right? LOL
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 12:04 pm |
it means an internal investigation is ongoing
the personell held accountable will be terminated
and KBR will not disclose any information while an investigation is ongoing
that is why it is classified
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Then KBR needs to use the proper terminology….and classified is not it.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 2:25 pm |
give them time to look into the matter
you have to see the steps they are putting
in place to prevent this from happening again
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Happening Again!! Is this KBR’s first job? Do they not know what they are doing? The steps should have been put into place so that it didn’t happen in the first place.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 2:27 pm |
yes you did spell that right
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:12 pm |
when mistakes happen you correct them
there could be certain variables you are not looking at
not having the proper material onsite
you tend to cut corners on stuff which could be the case here
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I was there, I know exactly how it happens. Poor planning, poor management and no DCMA oversight.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:32 pm |
was this at an FOB
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Was what at a FOB? Be more specific. Each one of the incidents listed above happened at different locations.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:45 pm |
you do know some equipment was left by the old regime which we are using
until the up to code equipment gets there
Ms Sparky’s Response:
No…I figured we brought those palaces with us!! After 5 years and BILLIONS of dollars you’d think it would be up to code by now….
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:46 pm |
Forward operating base
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I know what FOB means. YOU asked “Was this at an FOB?” What was at an FOB?
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:53 pm |
if it was you have to make do with what you have which is not much you have to improvise
to get stuff done like i did or other people
didn’t do it until the material got there
usualy 6 months
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I lived it…piss poor management to have to wait that long or never get it. It’s not the workers fault. IT’S A MANAGEMENT PROBLEM FROM BILL UTT ON DOWN!!!
But I don’t think the families of the dead soldiers really care about KBR’s piss poor management style. They got paid Billions to maintain it. Damn it….for that money they need to figure out how to maintain it. If they have to charter their own cargo jet to fly material in and out then so be it!!! It’s all excuses.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:55 pm |
like FOB ASHRAF ala Camp Grizzly
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:58 pm |
simple terms you have the main site
Anaconda then you have 5 small bases
called FOB Oryan’, warhorse, ASHRAF are a sites
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 5:59 pm |
have you even been to a FOB?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
No I was in Iraq for two years at a luxury resort…no war there!! Room service, concierge, the whole nine yards. What?? You didn’t have that?
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:01 pm |
what was his site he was at
Ms Sparky’s Response:
What site was who at…..
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:38 pm |
no the problem is procurement in Dubai
sometimes management dose not approve stuff
budgitary reasons
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:40 pm |
you don’t know what site he was so you don’t
have all the facts then correct?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You still have not told me who in the hell you are talking about. Ryan Maseth? Chris Everett? Spit it out. Give me a name.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:42 pm |
sounds like someone needs to do there homework
properly
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:46 pm |
10 10 10 10 7 10 10 10
on my QA review before i went back to anaconda
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Are you trying to use my blog to find another job?
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:49 pm |
both what was there site simple question
so who is ducking the questions
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It’s in the original post. Radwaniyah and Camp Taqqadum. I testified at the Senate hearings on their deaths so don’t tell me I didn’t do my homework.
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:53 pm |
I am trying to put points out that KBR is looking into
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:55 pm |
they are FOB’s
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 6:56 pm |
no i am not
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 7:04 pm |
i have a good job superindent on Anaconda friends the camp management
Ms Sparky’s Response
Good For You
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 7:16 pm |
i messing with you on the spelling issue
Tuesday, December 9th 2008 at 7:38 pm |
I thought i was anonomous
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 6:51 am |
KBR Supervisor. We totally get it that you are a KBR drone. That somehow you haven’t fallen victim to KBR’s insane HR Policy, that you weren’t injured or that you didn’t contract some strange disease. We totally get that you have friends in high places. But for those who don’t. For those who care about the SCW’s, the soldiers, other KBR workers. For those who care about how KBR is robbing the US taxpayer and not providing the services contracted. For those who just can’t walk around with KBR blinders on and refuse to care about anything. Give us a break!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It’s entirely possible that KBR Supervisor is a decent manager. Not one of the evil Nazi’s that we ended up working for. You know as well as I do that not ALL (but most) KBR managers were arrogant assholes or just didn’t care enough to make waves.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 7:23 am |
I have information that the news media might be interested in. Please get me in touch.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I forwarded your information. Thanks for coming forward.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 1:13 pm |
I have photos and emails.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Alrighty then…send em’ or I can get you in touch with??? Depending on what they are about.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 1:22 pm |
I resent that remark I am no drone i voice my opinion to management when things don’t go well
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You’re going to catch grief. You are one of the few if not the only pro KBR person on here.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 1:59 pm |
Sorry for caring and doing my job which to fight for the employees in my department
wether they are expat or SCW
sorry for wanting to provide a safe work enviorment
sorry for trying to provide the best possible
service to the customer
sorry for putting my own personel company on hold to work for KBR
sorry that i came up with a cost effective
maintinance program that the air force HVAC adopted
sorry for going out every day and doing my job
sorry if you are offended that i beleive
people should be held accountable for there
actions
lets get one thing straight I earned the position i am in because i did my job
not who i am friends with
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It is my experience with KBR that qualification was never a criteria for a management position.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 2:09 pm |
lets also get one thing straight
I am not defending anyone here just putting out some angles
if there are KBR personnel found guilty in this investigation they need to be held accountable and terminated and prosocuted I do not support any type of cover up
choose your words wisly foreman about me being a drone
Ms Sparky’s Response:
You can dish it out but you can’t take it huh?
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 2:16 pm |
Ms Sparky I have photos of KBR’s blackwater (raw sewer)truck drivers-these are the guys that suck to porta johns and sewer tanks. They are dumping the raw sewer right in the Tigres River. I wish I had taken more pictures of stuff.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
OMG!!! That is disgusting! Thanks
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 3:19 pm |
Working for KBR is the most embarrassing humiliating thing I have ever done. Send me your email. I have photos too.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have emailed you. Send them to that address. Be sure to let me know when and where. Thanks!
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 4:06 pm |
they like to sleep a lot I have seen them in packs sleeping
(Black Water Trucks)
Ms Sparky’s Response:
They may be sleeping…but they are clearly dumping directly in the river!
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 6:51 pm |
I can take it I am not a drone i just do my job
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 7:01 pm |
I own a company which i put on hold
a rather large business
i have run service departments which was about 110 people
which i was a project manager in the company
I am more than qualified
the personnel i replaced were not
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 at 7:28 pm |
also i did work with site management
to put a comprehensive bid package
to replace all of the reefers
and 5 ton package units
so the soldiers have heat this winter
i did the samething at ASHRAF
where had mixed match units tonage wise
i was able to get to work
and got the pm to release the right units
while ordering new window units for housing as well
becareful on what you say about me
at ASHRAF i worked untill 11 at night doing paperwork and order parts
Friday, December 12th 2008 at 7:33 am |
It is great to see some who is not afraid of KBR. Someone that won’t let them intimidate them. They on them.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It’s funny you should mention that. My friends and family are warning me all the time….watch out for KBR. They can just make you disappear. Should that intimidate me? I don’t think so. I have blogged about that before and have given my friends names and numbers to call in the event I just disappear. And keep in mind…..I do not have a “pool boy” and therefore will not be running off with one! So…if I disappear, it’s foul play!
Friday, December 12th 2008 at 2:51 pm |
just let you know
we are in the process of replacing 6000 window units housing
working with the mayor cell on replacing
1 ton window units with 2 ton splits
replaced all window units in the clusters
replacing all the air curtains at the defacs
I run the largest department on Anaconda
you have any idea how much we are spending alot
1 5 ton package unit 15000 we have 220 on base
we are tagging all non gp equipment
you peop;e don’t have any idea what it is like
maintaining the amount of equipment i am signed for
the amount of personnel i am responsible
all other departments are doing the same thing
we are getting everything up to code
it just takes time
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Why all the changes? Why are you going to all the trouble to get everything up to code now. It should have been done that way in the first place. AND KBR makes $$$ on everything they buy. Everything they replace. That really pisses me off to know that KBR get’s paid to do it wrong to begin with and then to try to do it right. It’s a damn win win for them!!!
Oh…and don’t even tell me I don’t know what it’s like…..I was an electrical maintenance supervisor at a DOE nuke that made weapons grade plutonium and at a test nuke. I know all about accountability, M&TE. The big difference is…I could actually be held accountable by the government if I screwed up. The worst think that can happen to you is KBR sends you home or you get transferred!
On a positive not….it’s better late and never!
Friday, December 12th 2008 at 7:36 pm |
interesting no responce hmm
Ms Sparky’s Response:
How’s That!
Saturday, December 13th 2008 at 8:32 pm |
Hey KBR Supervisor, if KBR hadn’t been found in violation would you still be doing these updates?? If people like us hadn’t reported the deplorable living conditions of the FN’s (Foreign Nationals – is this the politically correct terminology?), the blatant electrical violations, water contamination; the list just goes on . . would you even have a job??
Plus it’s always nice to know that you are at the most updated base in Iraq . . ever been outside of Anaconda or it’s FOB’s?? Ever been to the camps that are still housed in tents?? Tents that haven’t been replaced since first being put up?? or single hooches that have 2 people housed in them with a/c units that haven’t been replaced since 2003??
You live in a very sheltered world at Anaconda . . enjoy it while you can.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Well Said!!
Sunday, December 14th 2008 at 6:32 pm |
lack of qualified supervisors
for one
since i have been there 2005
no one ordered any new equipment to replace it
just kept using the same stuff no one ordered anything dipstick
second those package units came with the base
from the previous regime
third i created a new wing in HVAC to pull out all the A/c unints hiring about 30 americans 100 TCN
as for lucky to have a job I own my own company so i have a back up plan dipstick
as for tents that dose not deal HVAC not my problem
i have other issues like running the largest department on post and while being the youngest
supervisor 5-0 on my board
here is the new look HVAC
HVAC Mechanical services 10000 a/c units 30/100
Maintinance services 30/100
Refrigeration services 30/100
3 departments one boss
as for elecectrical on Anaconda is up to code
I am stuck at Anaconda my brother is in the Army and stationed there
even though i friends with Col Rose of Camp Grizzly who happens to be friends with the PM of Anaconda this was where i was lone tech for 2 sites no support from my department you can say i was in hell for 4 months 18 hrs a day 7 days a week no over time QA 10 10 10 10 7 10 10
Ms Sparky’s Response:
My issue has never been with the regular day to day worker. They are the glue that holds it all together and they try to get the troops what they need. My bitch has been with the Top down management from Bill Utt on down. With the supreme power of the Camp Managers and PM’s. And with the lack of oversight from the DCMA these little Napoleon’s were allowed to run their camps how ever they choose. Kissing the DoD’s butt in one breath and abusing their employees in the next. Power mongers is what they are and the DoD let them do it!
Even if they “seemed” nice to your face and gave you that “I am so sorry but corporate just won’t let me do that” at the All Hands Meetings….POLITICS people. It’s all politics. And most KBR employees buy it hook line and sinker!
Monday, December 15th 2008 at 7:34 am |
KBR Supervisor it is always so nice to see that when someone calls you out on an issue you resort to name calling and pushing figures about how good “YOUR DEPARTMENT” looks . . you are not the only supervisor in Iraq working for KBR, but you seem to be the only one that thinks KBR is good.
As for your owing your own company . . good for you, but it is now clearly evident that you are there for strictly personal gains . . not for patriotic reasons. Must be nice to be stationed so close to a relative!!
Do you know anything other than Anaconda?? It seems that you do not. Seeing as you are such good friends with the PM, why don’t you ask him if you can visit Taji, BIAP, TQ, Scania, Cedar, Al Kut, or Tallil just to name a few and see for yourself just how “nice” Anaconda is compared to these other bases.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I think KBR Supervisor tries to do his best. But I also think he thinks everyone else does too. And they don’t. KBR managers are not held accountable. YET!!
Monday, December 15th 2008 at 8:52 pm |
yes it is camp grizzly in the town of ashraf
no oversight you say
why is there 6 new director positions then
not realy i speak when i need to and people listen hint i have earned a certain level of respect in my department and from my bosses
unfortunatly i do my job too well I tried to leave once it didn’t work out hmm oh ya i became supervisor
ms sparky it’s just business as usuall
For the record i have been in the trenches
Ms Sparky’s Response:
KBR director positions are not oversight. They are just one more talking head. Oversight is DCMA.
Tuesday, December 16th 2008 at 11:02 am |
KBR Supervisor…
Do you really read what you write? Do you comprehend all of your contradictions? Do you realize that you have have given out more info in your statements than the rest of us? I worked for KBR I mean SEII I mean… What was it called I forget? For a year, I fulfilled my contract. Did you ever live in a tent? Did you ever live in a hooch built for one with two people in it? Or are you one of the lucky ones who gets a private hooch with an attached single bathroom? Do you know what it is like to share 6 shower stalls and 6 toilet stalls with 50+ people? I don’t think you even know that exists. Are you that blind? Or sheltered? Oh wait you are you are an Anaconda baby. I am not saying that you don’t fight for what you think is right, but KBR or whatever the name of the company is should have gotten it right the first time. It is deplorable that I was in the southern theater and it took me 8+ weeks to get office supplies, and that when they got there it was the wrong order. Military only accepts black ink, and all I got were red pens. I can repeat plenty of issues like that. One base having a conex full of phones, while most of the offices on my base had NONE. You know little things that make the day go by easier are what makes the world go round. You are so shletered in your upper management world at Anaconda that you have no idea what is like for the rest of the people there. I watched people get spit on and spit back. I worked with upper management but I did not have blinders on I saw what was going on I reported it to no avail. I never got a response from my supervisor unless I went over his head, and yes I followed my Chain of Command. I respect our miltary and what they do. I also respect the people who work over there supporting the military. Because without contractors, whether people believe it or not, the military would have no hot water, no food, no way to cook said food if they had it, and no way to do laundry. Again it is the simple things in life worth making it every day. KBR made people’s lives and continues to make peoples lives there miserable. Do you know what it is like to not be able to take a shower or flush a toilet because the drainage system was messed up? Let me add together 120+ temperature, dust storms, sweat, stress, and not being able to shower for 2+ days, makes for a gross day in my eyes. Ever experienced that? Do you know what a bottle shower is? Do you constantly get threatened with chicken or pasta?
Ok so procurement has issues. How long has KBR had the contracts? It does not take a genius to figure out that there is a personnel issue there and that a lot of people do not know how to do their jobs. But how long does it take to fix it? Seriously HOW LONG? I would love a response to that. HOW many lives have to be hurt or lost over carelessness til we decide to do something about it?
And for the record I was scheduled to work 12 hours a day 7 days a week. But there were many an hour worked beyond that, sometimes not sleeping for 36+ hours. ANd I did NOT get overtime either, and when I did put one or two hours on my timesheet getting blasted from all sides about it. Yeah that is fun. Wake up smell the coffee cuz I know I lived on it, remove the rose colored glasses, step away from the smoke and hack up your left lung because of it. Come down and look at it from an employee perspective and not a supervisory position.
For the record I loved my supervisor’s and manager’s and I know how hard they and I fought. But I want to know why they stress in training in Houston to this day, WEAR YOUR LANYARD AND HAT!!! OH don’t forget the neon vest to make you a target!!! and have a nice day…
Chicken or pasta; aisle or window… To live or to die…. hhhhmmmm SUCH CHOICES we have.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It sounds like you and I worked in the same location!
Tuesday, December 16th 2008 at 4:04 pm |
not true if you do your job you are fine
tents were gone but i did get to see what that was like where i stayed in the cheese box for 2 months
you are worried about ink when it takes 6 months to get fan motors in
I know what it is like t have nothing
second i did most of the grunt work in my department you try doing 150 pm’s per day
99 4hrs
20 workorders a day
i have also worked on every unit on anaconda
you can quit your crying
because i work in an office now
actually i fly business class
and window
yes i have been threatened with chicken or pasta bit
third i have been grunt
I know where yu are coming from my department left me out to dry n when it came to material
and they refused to send someone to releave me west side had to send someone So KMA
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Ten how can you be so supportive of the KBR management!
Wednesday, December 17th 2008 at 1:41 pm |
trust me i do know what it is like to look at a store room and see what you need and your department won’t release it because they want you to fail
basicly my department isolated me being the lone HVAC for 2 sites