THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Marines Conduct Census Patrol, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class William Lowry examines the eye of an Afghan girl during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2009. Lowry, a Navy corpsman, is assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He is talking with Afghans to understand their concerns and identify possible reconstruction projects. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class William Lowry shakes hands with a boy during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Lowry, a Navy corpsman, is assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel Smith works security during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Smith, assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class William Lowry, center, and U.S. Marines speak with Afghans during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Lowry, a Navy corpsman, and the Marines are assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. George Anikow speaks with villagers during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Anikow is assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. William Medina walks through the desert during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Medina is a amphibious assault vehicle crewman assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. George Anikow, center, and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class William Lowry, left, speak with a villager about the lack of water in the village during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Anikow and Lowry are assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. William Medina maintains security during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Medina is a amphibious assault vehicle crewman assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel Smith keeps a count of Marines returning to their vehicles during a census patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2009. Smith is a amphibious assault vehicle crewman assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau.)