THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Troops Conduct Operation Bessemer in Iraq

U.S. Army soldiers sit aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a pre-dawn air assault near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Along with Iraqi soldiers, the Screaming Eagles conducted “Operation Bessemer,” which was designed to clear rural areas of suspected extremists in the area. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

A U.S. Army soldier sits beside an Iraqi soldier aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a pre-dawn air assault near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

A U.S. Army soldier patrols in the pre-dawn hours during an air assault mission, Operation Bessemer, near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

U.S. Army soldiers and Iraqi soldiers patrol for weapons caches and enemy extremists near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

U.S. Army soldiers and Iraqi army soldiers exit the back of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an air assault mission near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

A U.S. Army soldier pulls security during Operation Bessemer near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. The air assault operation was designed to clear pastoral areas near the oil rich city of extremist elements. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

U.S. Army soldiers along with Iraqi soldiers pick up security patrol during an air assault mission near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

A U.S. Army soldier patrols a rural Iraqi village during an air assault mission, Operation Bessemer, near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

U.S. Army soldiers wait to be extracted during an air assault mission, Operation Bessemer, near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)

U. S. Army soldiers and Iraqi soldiers board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an air assault mission near Bayji, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Rzepka.)