Desert Warfare

Sgt. Brendon Frazier, 23, of Puyallup, Wa., a member of the 1st battalion, 11th Marines, Alpha battery smokes a cigarette in the early morning after setting up artillery pieces during the night in southern Iraq. In the background is a 155mm Howitzer.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Artillery rounds, one with “Bombs Over Baghdad” written on it, from the 1st battalion, 11th Marines, Alpha battery on display in southern Iraq.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Iraqis in civilian dress surrender to U.S. troops near Nasiriyah, scene of fierce fighting south of Baghdad.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Members of the 1st battalion, 11th Marines, Alpha battery stand back as they fire a 155mm Howitzer in southern Iraq.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

The sun sets over Iraq as an amphibious assault vehicle pulls into position for the night.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

An American flag hangs from an Apache helicopter from the 1st Cavalry.  (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)

This Apache Longbow Delta helicopter may be a total loss after the pilot lost control on take off, destroying the rotor blades and collapsing the landing gear.  (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)

Mechanics work on an Apache Attack Delta helicopter’s main rotor blades after being heavily damaged by small arms fire.  (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)

One of two large bullets jammed in the barrel of an Apache Longbow Delta’s gun as the sand complicates operations.  (Kevin P. Casey / LAT)