THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Tanks 'Punish' Enemy in Al Anbar

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. James A. Robson, a 120mm M1A1 Abrams tank main-gun loader with Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, watches the sun rise in the western Euphrates River valley as his tank sits in an over-watch position. The company has been providing support for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, since the start of their deployment in March. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser

A tank with Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, supporting Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, sweeps through the Iraqi desert in the Al Anbar province in support of Operation Punisher III. The operation was part of the ongoing regimental-wide Operation Mawtini, which is aimed at countering an insurgent surge of activity in the Al Anbar Province, as well as disrupting the flow of weapons and other illegal items toward the urban areas. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser

Tanks with Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, supporting Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, speed across the Iraqi desert in the Al Anbar province. The tanks spent nearly a week combing the Iraqi desert in support of Operation Punisher III. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser

Master Sgt. Jerri A. Schlickenmayer, the tank leader for Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, supporting Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, leads a group of Marines to search a Bedouin (nomad) tent in the Al Anbar province. The tanks spent nearly a week combing the Iraqi desert in support of Operation Punisher III. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser