U.S. Department of Defense

Iraqi Canal Burn Out

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Graham searches for weapons caches alongside Iraqi soldiers in a canal near Jazirah, Iraq, July 29, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Coalition and Iraqi security forces scoured the area in support of Operation Iron Pursuit, an effort to disrupt extremist activity in the region.

Iraqi soldiers provide security as U.S. soldiers begin a search for weapons caches in a canal near Jazirah, Iraq, July 29, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Chris Laurion, right, and Iraqi soldiers pull security during a search for weapons caches in a canal near Jazirah, Iraq, July 29, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Keller, foreground, and Sgt.William Reese, both from the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, douse reeds with accelerant before burning canals in Tahwilla, Iraq on July 30, 2008. Extremists use the intricate canal system and tall weeds to hide themselves while laying bombs at night.

U.S. Army Spc. Torey Neden uses a magnetic locater to search for evidence of extremist activity in Bezel, Iraq, July 30, 2008. He is assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. and Iraqi soldiers search for evidence of extremist activity in Bezel, Iraq, July 30, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Kear makes his way down the road as a canal burns in Tahwilla, Iraq, July 30, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. soldiers conduct a mounted patrol in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles after setting canal vegetation ablaze in Tahwilla, Iraq, July 30, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army Sgt. William Reese watches flames rise into the night sky after setting canal vegetation ablaze in Tahwilla, Iraq, July 30, 2008. Reese is assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Graham searches for weapons caches alongside Iraqi soldiers in a canal near Jazirah, Iraq, July 29, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Coalition and Iraqi security forces scoured the area in support of Operation Iron Pursuit, an effort to disrupt extremist activity in the region.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. David J. Marshall