U.S. Department of Defense - Photo Essay

Photo Essays

U.S. Marines Search Helmand Province for IEDs

A U.S. Marine mans his weapon system during a patrol through the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Ryan Graham operates a radio on Forward Operating Base Brenon in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Graham is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Andy Lee climbs over a berm during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Lee is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Andy Lee investigates a possible improvised explosive device during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Lee is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Andy Lee in background, investigates a possible improvised explosive device during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Lee is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, which is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Andy Lee uses a metal detector to search for possible improvised explosive devices during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Lee is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, which is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Andy Lee uses a metal detector to search for possible improvised explosive devices during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. Lee is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine explosive ordnance technicians detonate an improvised explosive device that was found during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Juan Salazaar searches an Afghan man at a checkpoint in the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 27, 2009. Salazaar is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marines survey an area for future construction projects in the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Marine Combat Engineers.

U.S. Marines survey an area for future construction projects in the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2009.

U.S. Marines conduct a vehicle sweep to ensure there are no hidden improvised explosive devices during a security patrol through the Nawa district in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2009.

A U.S. Marine mans his weapon system during a patrol through the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3.
U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg