THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Cobras Search the Night, Nassir Wa Salam, Iraq

"I'm trying to get a good scan of the area and trying to get the element of surprise on anybody trying to do the wrong thing in the area," explained Urbana, Ohio, native, Pfc. Brendan Smitke, an infantryman assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, as he uses his night vision scope to check on enemy activity during a night patrol in Nassir Wa Salam, Sept. 1. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division Baghdad.)

Staff Sgt. Ron Sherwood (left), a tanker section sergeant from Tishomingo, Okla., gives some direction to Pfc. Brendan Smitke, an infantryman from Urbana, Ohio, during a night patrol in Nassir Wa Salam, Sept. 1. "We're just here to check up on things and try to prevent insurgents from using this area," said Sherwood. Both soldiers are assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division Baghdad.)

"I'm just trying to play around with them...It builds morale with the kids and just tries to show them that we're friendly," said Spc. Andrew Timon, a combat medic from Santa Clara, Calif., assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, as he tests the strength of an Iraqi boy during a dismounted night patrol through Nassir Wa Salam, Sept. 1. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division Baghdad.)

Pfc. Brendan Smitke, an infantryman from Urbana, Ohio, assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, stays vigilant while providing security during a night patrol to inhibit insurgent activity in Nassir Wa Salam, Sept. 1. "We're just trying to protect those who want to live a good life...like we live back home," said Smitke. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division Baghdad.)

Soldiers from C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, cross a pipe over a canal during a night patrol in Nassir Wa Salam, Sept. 1. The soldiers' presence prevented any insurgents from operating in the area during the twilight hours. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division Baghdad.)