THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Marines Fight in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

U.S. Marines and Afghan National Police officers conduct a security patrol through the Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. Marines and Afghan forces conduct security patrols to decrease insurgent activity and gain the trust of Afghan citizens. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Lionel Ortiz hands candy to children during a security patrol through Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. Ortiz is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. John Sheets examines a compound for improvised explosive devices during a security patrol through Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. Sheets is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Andrew Schoenmaker patrols through Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. Schoenmaker is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)

U.S. Marines prepare to return fire during a security patrol in Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. The Marines, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan forces in southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)

A U.S. Marine working as a sniper sets his sights on enemy combatants during a firefight in Nawa District in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2009. The Marines, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are conducting security patrols to decrease insurgent activity and gain the trust of the Afghan people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg.)