THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Clearing Al-Qaida Strongholds West of Baqubah, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Luis Falcon, a platoon sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, provides security for fellow members of his platoon while moving though a field before conducting a clearing operation in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. The clearing operation involved 1-38 Inf. and 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT. The two units cleared an area north west of Baqubah known as the "Iron Triangle", a suspected al-Qaida hot spot. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Staff Sgt. Luis Falcon, a platoon sergeant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, looks for al-Qaida in Iraq operatives while moving though a palm grove during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Soldiers from Bayonet Company attached straw, leaves and other items lying on the ground to their helmets and body armor to provide camouflage during the clearance of the palm groves and fields surrounding Hadid. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Capt. Joshua Wiles, a platoon leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, confirms his location on a map before entering a "target house" during clearing Operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Target houses are buildings that house individuals wanted for questioning by coalition forces. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Sgt. Johnny Wallace, a squad leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, shakes hands with an Iraqi child during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Spc. Robin Bautista, a machine gunner in Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, waves to a child from a rooftop during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Most citizens in Hadid greeted the Soldiers with smiles and waves during the three-day operation that cleared the town of weapons, improvised explosive device making materials and individuals wanted for questioning by coalition forces. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Pfc. Robert Jones, a radio operator in Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, negotiates his way across an irrigation ditch during clearing Operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Spc. Donald Surber, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, binds the hands of detainees captured during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Soldiers from Company B and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division negotiate their way over a wall during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. The Soldiers clearing the town had to negotiate their way though deep canals and over high walls to reach their objectives. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Spc. William Bolt, an infantryman in Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, leads a detainee wanted for questioning down a street during clearing Operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Bayonet Company took dozens of detainees during the three-day operation. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Spc. William Bolt, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, helps a fellow Soldier over a gate during clearing Operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Soldiers of Bayonet Company checked more than 150 houses for contraband during the three-day operation. Photographer: Pfc. Kirby Rider, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.