MCLEAN, Va. – Private security firm Global Guardian has evacuated more than 4,000 individuals from the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran last weekend. Operations continue around the clock as Americans face challenges in the region during the ongoing conflict.
In addition to the U.S. Department of State’s dedicated task force, Global Guardian maintains teams across more than 140 countries, enabling rapid responses worldwide. As of Friday, CEO and President Dale Robert Buckner confirmed the firm has completed over 4,000 evacuations from the area.
Range of Emergency Services
Global Guardian provides medical evacuations, kidnap and ransom negotiations, and extortion support. The firm handles approximately 300 executive protection missions monthly across 84 countries. Additional capabilities include residential and commercial surveillance, as well as cyber monitoring for mobile devices.
“We provide medical evac services, we provide kidnap, ransom, extortion negotiation payment if someone is kidnapped or extorted,” Buckner stated. He highlighted recent operations beyond the Middle East, such as rescues from Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco, Mexico, and Asheville, North Carolina, following a hurricane.
Rapid Response in Action
The firm executed its first border crossing just six hours after the initial missile strikes. Deputy Vice President of Operations Colin O’Brien described a prompt rescue of two college-aged women studying in Dubai.
“Within about four and a half hours from the phone call, we had our teams in motion to go pick these people up,” O’Brien said. “Put them in the car, we were then able to move from the Omani border and by eight hours we were at the border. Work through the border checkpoint to a hotel in Muscat, where we could stop and give them a short rest while we arrange their transportation home.”
Evacuation plans emphasize predefined pickup points, key border crossings, required paperwork, and options like hotels or private charters. Most regional missions involve ground transport coordinated by local teams, with routes from Dubai to Oman, Israel to Oman, Jordan, or Egypt, and Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
Ongoing Preparedness and Membership
Global Guardian’s ground teams train year-round for executive protection, armed security, and large-scale events with medical support. The firm coordinates with the State Department but has not yet flown missions on its behalf.
Services are available through a “Duty of Care Membership,” priced at $15,000 annually for a family of five. “You are going to sign a contract – whether it’s a family, a family office or typically a large corporate logo. Then we become, at your beck and call,” Buckner explained.
Costs for evacuations vary based on location and circumstances, utilizing ground and air resources as needed.
