THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Marines, Afghan Soldiers Battle Taliban in Marjah, Part 1

Lance Cpl. Sammy Guajardo, a dog handler with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, looks out over a compound where he has taken shelter during the push into the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, were inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

A helicopter comes in for an emergency medical evacuation while Marines and Afghan national army soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment provide overwatch Feb. 13 on the outskirts of the city of Marjah, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment take cover behind a mud wall after receiving small-arms fire Feb. 13 in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, speaks to a villager in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines and Afghan national army soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment look out across the compound in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, where they've been taking shelter for the last several days. A gas station nearby erupts into flames after being rocketed by insurgents, Feb. 14. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment take cover behind a berm after receiving small-arms fire Feb. 13 in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines and Afghan national army soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, raise the national flag over the compound where they've established a foothold inside the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, move across a field in search of cover Feb. 13 in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines and Afghan national army soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, take cover behind a berm after receiving accurate small-arms fire Feb. 13 in the city of Marjeh, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, were inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, take cover behind a berm after receiving small-arms fire Feb. 13 in the city of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, attempts to draw fire from a Taliban sniper who has Marines pinned down Feb. 15 in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines and Afghan national army soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, take cover behind a berm after receiving small-arms fire Feb. 13 in the city of Marjeh, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines with Bravo and Alpha Company, 1/6, inserted into the city at night by helicopters as part of a large-scale offensive aimed at routing the Taliban from their last-known stronghold in Helmand province. (Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Related: Combat Camera: US Marines, Afghan Soldiers Battle Taliban in Marjah, Part 2