Sometimes a contractor is just a contractor
Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes and Keith Stansell worked for Northrop Grumman's electronic systems unit and were carrying out a Defense Department contract for airborne reconnaissance and surveillance.
Each was familiar with aircraft, family members said. Gonsalves served eight years in the Air Force. Stansell worked as an electrician and mechanic on Chinook helicopters after a four-year stint with the Marine Corps. Howes was a pilot instructor.
I'm not seeing any "armed conflict" here. These guys flew single-engine Cessnas loaded with observation equipment.
I too, am a civilian contractor who has been paid to do work for the military. What does that make me? Are we now defining the word "mercenary" out of existence too? Believe me, nobody craps on the language the way the Left does.
Not sure where Blackwater comes into it, other than being another looney hot-button like the word "Halliburton."