THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Troops Conduct Operation Champion Sword in Eastern Afghanistan

U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Freire of Chico, Calif., a member of 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), conducts a visual search of the area for enemy as part of an air assault mission in support of Operation Champion Sword, July 28. Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

U.S. Army soldier working with Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division is in position pulling rear security during an air assault mission in support of Operation Champion Sword, July 28. Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

U.S. Army soldier of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Stands guard down an alley as part of an air assault mission in support of Operation Champion Sword, July 28. Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Meggs of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division checks his compass to insure his units direction of travel while, conducting an air assault mission in support of Operation Champion Sword, July 28. Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

U.S. Army Spc. Graff with Civil Affairs working with Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Speaks with a local Afghan woman of the village during Operation Champion Sword, July 28. Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)

Afghan mother tends to her child as U.S. Army soldiers conduct an air assault mission in support of Operation Champion Sword, July 28. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Nicholas, Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan.)