THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Stryker Brigade Takes Over Operations in Between Baghdad and Deadly Diyala

Soldiers with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq pull security in the Taji area, May 15. The Soldiers are with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the President's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including parts of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

A Soldier with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq pulls security in the Taji area, May 15. The Soldier is with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including parts of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

Soldiers with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq search the palm groves in the Taji area for a team of insurgents, May 15. The Soldiers encountered a roadside bomb during the patrol and chased the suspected triggermen into the palm groves. The Soldiers are with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including parts of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

Soldiers with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq sight a suspected team of insurgents during a patrol in the Taji area, May 15. The Soldiers encountered a roadside bomb during the patrol and chased the suspected triggermen into the palm groves. The Soldiers are with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including parts of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

Staff Sgt. Lang Gureckis sends a text message to fellow Soldiers using his helmet mounted screen of the Land Warrior System while pulling overwatch security on a roof top in the Taji area, May 15. Lang is with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including parts of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

Soldiers with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq secure a road as residents walk by during a patrol in the Taji area, May 15. The Soldiers are with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad including a part of deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico

Soldiers with the latest Stryker brigade to arrive in Iraq patrol a route in Taji, May 15. The Soldiers are with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 4-2 SBCT is the fourth of five brigades to arrive in Iraq as part of the president's "surge" of troops into the Baghdad area. The brigade assumed official responsibility for the area north of Baghdad up to Baqubah, in the deadly Diyala province, May 15. Photographer: Sgt. Antonieta Rico