Blackwater USA is a security firm and private military company providing armed escorts, tactical training and security consulting around the world. It has provided services in both the Iraq War and in Afghanistan.

On February 24, 2009, a small private helicopter crashed on to Blackwater USA's campus in Moyock, North Carolina. Reports indicate that one person is dead and another injured in the accident.

1. 1997: Blackwater USA was founded
2. 2002: Blackwater Consulting division established
3. 2007: Re-branded as Blackwater Worldwide
4. 2008: Five employees indicted for Iraq shootings
5. 2009: All five employees pleaded not guilty

Blackwater Security, which provided protection for U.S diplomats in Iraq, was banned by the interior minister following a September 2007 shooting in Baghdad's Nisoor Square that killed at least 14 civilians. On January 29, 2009, a spokesperson for the Iraqi interior minister announced that Blackwater's contract would not be renewed and notified the U.S. embassy that they would "have to find a new security company."BBC News: Iraq ends licence for Blackwater (January 29, 2009)

In December, 2008, U.S. Justice Department indicted five Blackwater security guards for the September 2007 shooting in Baghdad that left 17 Iraqis dead including young children, and sparked an increase in further anti-American sentiment in the region. The men, Donald Ball (27) of Utah; Dustin Heard (27), Tennessee; Evan Liberty (26), New Hampshire; Nicholas Slatten (24), Tennessee; Paul Slough (29), Texas, were charged with 14 counts of involuntary manslaughter, 20 counts of attempted manslaughter and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.CNN: Ex-Blackwater guards charged with manslaughter (December 8, 2008) A sixth guard negotiated a plea with prosecutors in return for a reduced sentence. Although the company has stated that they believe guards did not act unlawfully, spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said: "If it is determined they did, we would support holding them accountable."MSNBC: Five Blackwater guards charged (December 5, 2008) The five men pleaded not guilty to all charges on January 6, 2009.CNN.com: Blackwater defendants plead not guilty (January 6, 2009)

If found guilty, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each manslaughter count, 7 for each attempted manslaughter count and a 30 year-mandatory minimum for the firearms discharge.CNN: Ex-Blackwater guards charged with manslaughter (December 8, 2008)