On Sept. 16, a military convoy of U.S. State Department officials was being escorted by Blackwater security contractors in Baghdad.

It is the events during this excursion that is the subject of nearly five investigations including a recent probe from the FBI.

At least 17 Iraqis were killed and another 24 were wounded in the incident involving Blackwater security on the military convoy to western Iraq.

Many of these victims were innocent civilians and bystanders on the streets during a so-called attack on the convoy.

These contractors involved in this incident and many others that have taken place since U.S. occupation of Iraq are part of the North Carolina based company founded in 1997 by former Navy Seal Erik Prince.

It prides itself in being a force international security and having the world’s largest training facility for tactical and military enforcement.

However since the U.S. government has employed Blackwater for guardian and escort services, there have been links to nearly 200 shooting incidents involving their personnel.

In their latest occurrence, there have been reports of unprovoked and excessive force when opening fire in the Baghdad Square filled with civilians and others.

These incidents are uncalled for and a further indication that the U.S. military needs to have full authority over matters involving protection and security in Iraq.

It is unnecessary to have independent contractors being deployed in Iraq for simple reasons of security and protection of other personnel.

These contractors must feel they are above the law or that the laws do not apply to them for conducting themselves as sort of mercenaries and almost outlaws for their antics in the country.

As a result, the government needs to act accordingly and fully prosecute those involved in these unfortunate incidents to the highest standards of the law.

Despite the 2004 ruling in which the U.S. declaring these contractors immune from Iraqi law, it still does not grant them the right to act without reaping the punishment for their actions.

These actions are those that would be equivalent to criminal and military charges in any other country.

But since U.S. control of Iraq, there have been no immediate repercussions for the actions of these contractors.

The U.S. military and its leaders must decide whether to continue to provide security with contractors that do not abide by law or use troops as means of protection and security when needed.

The work of contractors cannot be defined by the rest of the efforts of U.S. soldiers who have dedicated their lives to fighting the right way.

That way is to provide protection and security for those in need and to not take advantage of that right in any way.

We can only hope that these investigations can find fault in contractors like Blackwater and allow the U.S. military to do its job in Iraq solely.

It is a shame that so much has been caused because of these incidents cause by contractors.

There needs to be some kind of intervention and change in employing these deadly and gun happy contracting companies before even more damage is done to this region.