THE TENSION: Combat Camera: U.S. Soldiers in Iraq

U.S. Army soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, provide security for Iraqi army soldiers talking with Iraqi citizens during a mission in Adhamiyah, Iraq, Dec. 12, 2006. The purpose of the operation is to bring sectarian violence and insurgency activities down while increasing Iraqi security force capabilities. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeffrey Alexander

U.S. Army soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, provide security for Iraqi army soldiers during a patrol in Adhamiya, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2006. The purpose of the patrol is to decrease sectarian violence and insurgency activity while increasing the Iraqi security force's capabilities. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeffrey Alexander

U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Marino, a CROWS operator with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, uses the Common Remotely Operated Weapons System thermal sights during a route recon along a road in Tarmiyah, Iraq, Dec. 12, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Cheryl Cox

U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Seder,(left), of the Gahzni Provisional Reconstruction Team, scans mountain tops as Spc. Henry provides security after a double-stacked improvised explosive device caused damage to a mine clearing vehicle during a route clearing patrol for a convoy headed to Nawa, Afghanistan, Dec 6, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Bertha Flores

U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division scout Tall Qabb, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2006, during an operation in search of insurgents and weapons caches. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Bendet

Army Pfc. Samuel Medrano and Air Force Staff Sgt. Russell McLaughlin load up materials for making improvised explosive devices found Dec. 8 in the village of Tall Qabb, Kirkuk Province. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Bendet