THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Marines Patrol Golestan, Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Coprs 2nd Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich walks down a mountainside where he and other Marines have set up security to provide safe passage for a convoy arriving in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 10, 2009. Yurkovich, assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, spends much of his time engaging local people to gain intelligence on insurgent activity in the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

A nomadic Afghan family moves back to Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 10, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

An Afghan boy walks his herd of goats along a road that U.S. Marines sweep for improvised explosive devices in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich shakes hands with an Afghan after visiting his family’s home in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Anthony R. Ward, center, speaks with Afghans about the well-being of their community in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2009. Ward is assigned to the 3rd Civil Affairs Group, which works closely with Marines assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

U.S. Marines conduct a dismounted patrol in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2009. The Marines train and mentor Afghan National Police in Golestan and provide security for residents while conducting counterinsurgency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich, left, and Lance Cpl. Farid Hotaki speak with Afghan men after a routine search for weapons in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich, right, and Lance Cpl. Farid Hotaki speak with an Afghan man as he makes his way home in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones.)