Washington, August 9 (RHC)-- The White House is reportedly considering an unprecedented plan to privatize the war in Afghanistan at the urging of Erik Prince, founder of the now-defunct private mercenary firm Blackwater. 

Prince told USA Today the plan would include sending 5,500 private mercenaries to Afghanistan to advise the Afghan army.  It would also include deploying a private air force – with at least 90 aircraft – to carry out the bombing campaign against Taliban insurgents. 

Prince says the plan would cost $10 billion a year of taxpayer money, which would presumably be funneled directly to private mercenary firms.     Each 'soldier of fortune' would reportedly be paid between $500 to $600 a day.

The Trump administration is divided over the plan, with Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon supporting it, and national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis – both former military generals – opposing the plan.