Jonathan Saruk Photography

Images: Wardak

A US soldier of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division flanks an insurgent position with a squad during an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A US soldier with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division is treated after being injured while trying to recover an Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) stuck on a narrow road May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
Rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), launched by insurgents, airburst near US vehicles of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division during an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
US soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division flank an insurgent position during an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
A US soldier of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division prepares to head out with a squad to flank an insurgent position during an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A US soldier of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division searches a compound after an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
A US soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division assists in trying to recover a Humvee that became stuck in the mud during a night patrol May 20, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. US soldiers established a presence at the district center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A US soldier of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division searches a compound after an ambush May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
TANGI VALLEY, AFGHANISTAN - MAY 6: A US soldier with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division smokes a cigarette in the evening May 6, 2009 in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
TANGI VALLEY, AFGHANISTAN - MAY 5: A view of the Tangi Valley, where units from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division were building a combat outpost May 5, 2009 in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
A US soldier with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division smokes a cigarette in the early morning at an observation post May 4, 2009 in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A US soldier with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division takes a break after a patrol May 6, 2009 in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
US soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in the early morning at an observation post May 4, 2009 in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
An abandoned building riddled with bullet holes and shrapnel marks at the Jaghatu District Center May 11, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division established a presence at the center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
A US soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division sleeps in a Humvee at the Jaghatu District Center May 12, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. US soldiers established a presence at the center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
A US soldier with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division reacts to gunfire from insurgents after the platoon was ambushed while trying to recover an Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) stuck on a narrow road May 8, 2009 in the Onkai Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The platoon, which was on a patrol to the Chak valley, would be ambushed twice that day. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division prepare to return mortar fire during an insurgent attack at the Jaghatu District Center May 12, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. (an incoming mortar can be seen exploding in the background) During the attack, one civilian would be killed and two children wounded by US soldiers. The US unit established a presence at the center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division take cover from gunfire during an insurgent attack at the Jaghatu District Center May 12, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. During the attack, one civilian would be killed and two children wounded by US soldiers. The US unit established a presence at the center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
An Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) and a Humvee from 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division hold a position May 24, 2009 in Chak District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A camel, seen from the window of a Humvee during a patrol by US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division May 12, 2009 in Jaghatu District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. US soldiers established a presence at the district center after it was abandoned by the local government because of insurgent activity. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
A US soldier from 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division lights a cigarette after firing mortars at an enemy position after when convoy came under attack by insurgents May 25, 2009 in Chak District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
     
  
US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, prepare a memorial service for SSG. Essau Delapena and SGT Carlie Lee at Combat Outpost Carwile May 26, 2009 in Sayed Abad District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The two soldiers were killed during a battle in the Chak District of Wardak on May 15, 2009. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
   
US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, hold flags during a memorial service for SSG. Essau Delapena and SGT Carlie Lee at Combat Outpost Carwile May 26, 2009 in Sayed Abad District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The two soldiers were killed during a battle in the Chak District of Wardak on May 15, 2009. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.
  
US soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, at a memorial service for SSG. Essau Delapena and SGT Carlie Lee at Combat Outpost Carwile May 26, 2009 in Sayed Abad District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The two soldiers were killed during a battle in the Chak District of Wardak on May 15, 2009. The 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York, was one of the first units to arrive in Afghanistan for the 'surge' in 2009. Wardak Province, situated just southwest of Kabul, is one of the more active regions for insurgent activity.