Blackwater Pro Shop opening in Fayetteville

By

Staff

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2014, during RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr./Released)

Blackwater is like an infection that mutates and comes back no matter what kind of court-room administered antibiotic gets thrown at it. Their latest incarnation is a brick-and-mortar version of the Blackwater Pro Shop opening at Ft. Bragg. The place is still under construction and they haven’t put up a sign, so there’s no telling what they’ll end up calling it. We’d be surprised if they use the tainted name and bearclaw moniker, but the documents we’ve seen are addressed to “Blackwater USA” at the Reilly Road location.

It’s not clear what effect the recent federal indictment of current and former Xe/Blackwater employees on weapons charges will have on the new store, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have more t-shirts than guns at their grand opening.