U.S. Department of Defense

Soldiers Conduct Kips Bay Air Assault

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Colby Smithmeyer overlooks the drop-off point as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies on the horizon during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008. Smithmeyer and other soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company A, 3-187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

An Iraqi army soldier pulls security after dismounting a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault in Al Betra, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008.

An Iraqi soldier pulls security during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008.

A U.S Army soldier clears a house during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault operation in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008.

U.S. Army Capt. Nate Raymond directs soldiers as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter
flies in for pickup upon completion of operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault operation in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008.

U.S. Army soldiers prepare to go to the pickup zone during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault operation in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Colby Smithmeyer overlooks the drop-off point as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies on the horizon during operation Kips Bay, a combined air assault in Al Betra, about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008. Smithmeyer and other soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company A, 3-187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna