» 2009 » February Ms Sparky

KBR’s Robert “Rob” Jones – Camp Falcon A Tragic Death

February 28, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Robert Michael Jones, age 38 died on January 12, 2009 while working for KBR as a Labor Foreman at Camp Falcon in Iraq. Robert had worked for KBR since 2005.

He was a Senior Airman in the United States Air Force and served in Desert Storm.

He is survived by his loving mother, son, sister, nieces and nephew as well as other family and extended family members. He also had countless friend in both the US and Iraq.

The Army Criminal Investigations Command (CID) investigation is still “open and ongoing” and the “cause of death” is still “undetermined”.

On behalf of the family, if you have any information surrounding the circumstances of Robert’s death, please email me by clicking HERE or you can leave it as a comment. Also, if you have information for the CID, I can get you in touch.

Ms Sparky

Posted in CONTRACTOR DEATHS, LOGCAP III - KBR, Robert Jones-KBR. Tags: KBR. 38 Comments »

The Army’s Criminal Investigations Command (CID) and KBR

February 26, 2009 — Ms Sparky

We all know about the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, known to most of us as the Army CID. They investigate crimes on US Military Facilities committed against our military personnel or by our military personnel.

But did you know they also investigate crimes against civilian contractors or crimes committed by civilian contractors on military bases. Crimes such as assault, rape, homicide, contract fraud, theft of items more than $1000 USD and so on. I do believe KBR failed to mention that during orientation…or at anytime. Go figure!!

I know KBR would rather have these issues kept “in-house” but that normally does not yield favorable results.

If you are a KBR employee in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Djibouti or any other LOGCAP location and you are a witness to a crime, the victim of a crime or have information about a crime contact your local Military Police (MP’s) or your local CID office. My advice to you is to get that information before you need it. Next time you see a soldier ask them, “Where’s the MP’s office?” or “Where’s the CID office?”

Click HERE for the Army CID website. To report a crime you can also send an email to this address: crimetips@conus.army.mil Make sure you give them enough accurate information so they can investigate. If you give them your contact information you can ask that your identity be protected. If you choose, you can also email me your information or leave it as a comment and I can forward it for you.

I know there are many KBR managers telling their employees they can’t talk to anyone about anything. No talking in the DFAC, the military is listening…blah blah blah!

Here is an excerpt from one of KBR’s own documents.

“You have the right to speak with the government if you wish, but your own rights and interests, as well as those of the company, may be better protected if you have a lawyer with you during any conversation with a government agent.”

Come one people!!! Do you think KBR has YOUR best interest at heart or theirs. KBR’s attorney is not your attorney. That is why they are called “company counsel”. Unless you have signed an agreement with them to represent you, they are not your attorney. You don’t even legally work for KBR. You work for SEII. KBR wants their attorney’s there so they know what you are saying. I am not going to tell you what to do. But, I am going to tell you what I would do…..No freakin’ way would I trust a KBR attorney to have my best interest at heart! Nor would I allow ANYONE from KBR to sit in on any meeting or interview with any Government investigator. It is my opinion that KBR is the one to fear, not the Government.

Now this is just my opinion, but a lot of people are concerned about this “Non-Disclosure Agreement” that we all supposedly signed. I do not believe that would include concealing “alleged crimes”. Now that you have all that information….I hope you will tell those Government investigators what you know.

Ms Sparky

Posted in LOGCAP III - KBR. Tags: KBR. No Comments »

So what’s going on with KBR today-Hiring Freeze?

February 23, 2009 — Ms Sparky

This is a portion of a comment I received today. Can anyone fill us in on what’s going on here?

Called my recruiter to get my flight information and he said that all contractors for transportation and construction jobs are canceled, that I would not be returning to Houston. He said he had never in his tener (tenure) with KBR seen them do this.

Ms Sparky

Posted in KBR Contract, LOGCAP III - KBR. Tags: KBR. 140 Comments »

It’s Time For You To Contact Congress About KBR

February 23, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Our Political leaders have asked us to “pony up” 800 Billion dollars in a “questionable” stimulus package. Now is time to ask them to STOP WASTING OUR FREAKIN’ MONEY!!! It’s time to debar KBR from future contracts. Rescind recent contracts, and revoke the LOGCAP contract. Enough is enough!!

House Representative Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), led 18 other House members and recently sent a letter to Secretary Gates asking him to review this contract award. I have found out the names of the other House members that signed the letter. (I am about 99.99% sure it’s accurate. Let me know if it’s not.) I have re-posted the letter with the list of the House members and links to their websites. Send them an email to thank them. Then check to see if your Representative on that list. Mine isn’t. I don’t know why Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) is not on that list. But I am going to find out! Here is a link to the House website. You can email your Representative and ask them to join in the request for KBR contract review and debarment.

The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We are writing to express our concern about recent reports that the Department of Defense has awarded KBR a $35.4 million contract that includes major electrical projects and request that you review the contract award and report to us explaining why the contract award was made to KBR, given its long record of deficient electrical work in Iraq.

As you are aware, KBR has held a contract for building maintenance for U.S. military facilities in Iraq since 2003. During this time, there have been numerous investigations into the dangers KBR’s faulty electrical work is creating for our military personnel. The Department of Defense Inspector General is currently investigating the electrocution deaths of 18 Americans (16 soldiers and 2 contractors) in KBR-maintained facilities. KBR is under criminal investigation for the electrocution deaths of several U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted an in-depth investigation into the problem of electrocutions in U.S. facilities in Iraq and the death of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, a decorated Green Beret electrocuted in his shower on January 2, 2008. The Committee’s investigation showed that KBR was alerted to the deficiencies in this and other cases, but failed to take corrective action. In 2008, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) issued a “Level III Corrective Action Request” to KBR, indicating that the contractor was in “serious non-compliance.” This action request, the final warning before a contract is terminated, points to KBR’s continuing failure to ensure electrical safety for our troops. With this history, it is not surprising that Capt. David J. Graff, commander of the DCMA’s International Division, was quoted in an Associated Press article, stating that “many within DOD have lost or are losing all remaining confidence in KBR’s ability to successfully and repeatedly perform the required electrical support services mission in Iraq.”

Despite these serious, ongoing concerns, the Department of Defense has awarded KBR a new contract that includes the type of work that KBR failed to perform adequately for years. Threats to the safety and lives of soldiers or others because of known hazards and negligent performance of work are not acceptable.

We would therefore appreciate a thorough review of the recent contract award to KBR. At the very least, when our soldiers put their lives on the line for us in a war zone, we not only owe them the assurance that they will not be electrocuted in the shower on their return from a mission, but also that those who provide them with services put our soldiers’ safety ahead of their profits.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to your response.

Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)
Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Gwen Moore (D-WI)
Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
James McGovern (D-MA)
Glenn Nye (D-VA)
Adam Smith (D-WA)
Bobby Rush (D-IL)
Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Diane Watson (D-CA)
Ellen Tauscher (D-CA)
Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
Eric Massa (D-NY)
Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Charlie Wilson (D-OH)
John Larson (D-CT)

The American people are paying attention.

Ms Sparky

Posted in KBR, KBR Contract, LOGCAP III - KBR, Politics. Tags: KBR, Political Leaders, Politics. No Comments »

Why Is Everybody Always Pickin’ On Us? (KBR)

February 20, 2009 — Ms Sparky

House members seek KBR contract review (revised)

By KIMBERLY HEFLING – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress have asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to review a $35 million contract awarded to a company under criminal investigation in the electrocution deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that Houston-based KBR Inc. was given the contract by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build a convoy support center at Camp Adder in southern Iraq that includes a power plant and electrical distribution center. The contract was awarded a few months after a senior Pentagon official rejected the company’s explanation of mistakes in Iraq and said some defense officials had lost confidence is KBR’s ability to do electrical work.

The Department of Defense’s inspector general is currently reviewing the electrocution deaths of 18 troops and contractors in Iraq.

Some of the deaths involve faulty electrical work, and military criminal investigators have opened probes into five of the deaths.

Army investigators have reclassified the death of Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, a Green Beret from Pittsburgh, as a negligent homicide caused by KBR and two of its supervisors. Maseth was electrocuted in his barracks shower. An Army investigator said KBR failed to ensure work was done by qualified electricians and plumbers. The case is under legal review, and KBR has said it was not responsible for Maseth’s death.

Maseth’s family and that of another soldier electrocuted have filed suit against KBR.

The letter by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., was dated Wednesday and signed by 18 other House members. The members questioned why KBR was awarded a contract that includes “the type of work that KBR failed to perform adequately for years.” (Click HERE to read a copy of the letter)

“Threats to the safety and lives of soldiers or others because of known hazards and negligent performance of work are not acceptable,” the letter said.

Chris Isleib, a Defense Department spokesman, said Friday in a statement that Gates would review the letter and respond.

“We take seriously our obligations to the taxpayers with regard to any contract that we issue,” Isleib said. “The matter of proper electrical work in Iraq is of utmost importance to the safety of our troops.”

KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne said Friday in an e-mail that the members’ assertions about the quality of KBR’s work are not true. The company denies wrongdoing in any of the deaths, and says in 17 out of the 18 electrocutions there is no evidence that KBR had any relevant maintenance responsibility or involvement. (click HERE for original article)

Oh boo hoo!!! (sniffle sniffle you guys are being mean to us sniff!) OK I added that…but really…it sounds just like my six year old….”Everyone’s wrong except me!! I’m the only one that’s right!” How can Heather Browne continue to spew that nonsense and maintain any self respect. Maybe it’s just about the $$$$.

Ms Sparky