Marja, Afghanistan — U.S. Marines drive military vehicles as seen from a medevac helicopter of the U.S. Army's Task Force Shadow "Dust Off," Charlie Company 1-214 Aviation Regiment, near Marja in the volatile Helmand Province of Southern Afghanistan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20428

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Marja, Afghanistan — An Afghan shepherd directs his sheep through an opening in a mud wall near Marja in the volatile Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20429

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Marja, Afghanistan — Camels are seen from a medevac helicopter in Helmand Province.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20430

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Marja, Afghanistan — An Afghan man leads camels across the desert near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20431

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Marja, Afghanistan — Afghans work in a traditional brick factory near Marja in Southern Afghanistan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20432

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Marja, Afghanistan — A NATO military supply convoy kicks up dust in the desert.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20433

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Marja, Afghanistan — A medevac helicopter from the U.S. Army's Task Force Shadow "Dust Off," Charlie Company, casts a shadow as it comes in to land.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20434

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Marja, Afghanistan — Marines gather around a colleague wounded by an improvised explosive device as they wait for a medevac helicopter.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20435

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Marja, Afghanistan — Afghan men stand next to an auto rickshaw near farm fields near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20436

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Marja, Afghanistan — A section of the Helmand River Valley is seen from a medevac helicopter.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20437

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Marja, Afghanistan — Afghans play soccer on a makeshift field near Marja in Southern Afghanistan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20438

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Marja, Afghanistan — A cemetery is seen from a medevac helicopter.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20439

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Marja, Afghanistan — The town of Marja in the volatile Southern Afghanistan province of Helmand.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

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Marja, Afghanistan — The Helmand River near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

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Marja, Afghanistan — An Afghan man rides past camels.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20442

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Marja, Afghanistan — An Afghan vehicle moves through the open desert.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20443

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Marja, Afghanistan — An Afghan boy stands amid fields near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20444

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Marja, Afghanistan — A section of the Helmand River Valley near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20445

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Marja, Afghanistan — Smoke is seen marking the landing area for a medevac helicopter on a mission near Marja.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin Frayer / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=20446

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