An oil well fire burns in the distance after troops in the southern city of As Samawah encountered some resistance from enemy forces. Tanks and helicopters were moved in to support the troop as they crossed the Euphrates. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
Arms are stacked as troops put up their tents which will serve as a forward operational base. They arrived after a four-day journey from Camp Udairi, Kuwait. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
Fuelers move across a bridge over the small finger of the Euphates River with a Bradley Fighting Vehicle escorting in the southern city of As Samawah where allied forces encountered some resistance. A large group of tanks and helicopters were moved in to support the troops as they crossed. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
A Kiowa Warrior patrols as a fire burns in a distance after Army troops in the southern city of As Samawah encountered some enemy forces. Tanks and helicopters were moved in to support the troops as they crossed the Euphrates River. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
U.S. soldiers take a break as they set up camp in the Iraqi desert. The group arrived around 2 a.m. after a four-day journey from Camp Udairi in Kuwait. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
A Bradley fighting vehicle stops near a bridge over the small finger of the Euphates River as a helicopter surveys the surrounding area in the southern city of As Samawah. (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)
