THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Day and Night at Combat Outpost Zerok, Afghanistan

Sgt. Edwin McGinity, left, provides information to Spcs. Ivan Vargas, far left, and Gareth Warner on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The soldiers are infantry mortarmen assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

A westward view from an observation tower on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spcs. Ricky Olivo, left, and Vincent Cutler assume a protective posture as a 120 mm mortar round is launched from the tube during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The soldiers are deployed with 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spc. Vincent Cutler drops a 120 mm mortar round into the tube while Spc. Ricky Olivo keeps the gun on target during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13.The soldiers are deployed with 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spcs. Gareth Warner, left, and Ricky Olivo assume a protective posture as a 120 mm mortar round is launched from the tube during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The soldiers are deployed with 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spc. Gareth Warner drops a 120 mm mortar round into the tube while Spc. Ricky Olivo keeps the gun on target during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The soldiers are deployed with 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

A view down "Skid Row" on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The area known as "Skid Row" is the primary berthing area for soldiers living on the COP, and is heavily fortified with sandbags, Hesco barriers, and large metal boxes that are used for living areas. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

U.S. Army Spcs. Ivan Vargas, left, and Gareth Warner of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team, set up a 60 mm mortar system on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spc. Matthew King uses the Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistic Computer to obtain information during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spc. Vincent Cutler drops a 120 mm mortar round into the tube while Spc. Ricky Olivo keeps the gun on target during a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. The soldiers are deployed with 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Spcs. Ricky Olivo, left, and Chris Hall assume a protective posture while a 120 mm mortar round is launched from the gun during a night fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Pfc. Daniel Nededog prepares 120 mm mortar rounds for a fire mission on Combat Outpost Zurok, Afghanistan, July 13. Nededog is deployed with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3/509 Infantry (Abn.), 4/25 Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)