US soldiers go out on a search patrol for three missing comrades in a Sunni stronghold. After the three American soldiers were captured in an ambush, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted the search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

Iraqi and US troops pause in the field, plotting their co-ordinates during a search for missing comrades. After three American soldiers were captured in this Sunni stronghold, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

A soldier is killed and three wounded after one of them steps on an IED ('improvised explosive device') in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured during an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs buried far from roads.

A medic applies a tourniquet to a soldier injured by an IED ('improvised explosive device') during a search patrol in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured during an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted the search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs buried far from roads.

A medic bandages the face of a soldier hit by shrapnel from an IED ('improvised explosive device') in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured during an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs buried far from roads.

A wounded soldier is lifted onto a stretcher for helicopter evacuation in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured in an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

A soldier sits stunned and blinded after being hit by shrapnel from an IED ('improvised explosive device') in a Sunni stronghold. His sight later returned, but he suffered severe hearing loss. After three American soldiers were captured during an ambush in the area, US and Iraqi troops mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs buried far from roads.

Soldiers shield their wounded comrades from debris kicked up by a medical helicopter in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured in an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

Soldiers load dead and wounded comrades onto a medicalhelicopter in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured in an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

A medicalhelicopter carrying dead and wounded US soldiers takes off as the sun rises over a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured in an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

US troops use green smoke to mark a landing spot for a helicopter bringing them food and water in a Sunni stronghold. After three American soldiers were captured in an ambush in the area, some 4,000 US troops and 2,000 Iraqi soldiers mounted a search operation. As patrols fanned out to search the countryside they were hindered by IEDs ('improvised explosive devices') buried far from roads.

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