As a heavy machine gunner, Monsoor had to stay behind the point man on foot patrols and protect the unit from attacks.

CNN: Navy SEAL paid ultimate price to save buddies

As I peer through the heavy calibre bullet belt of the door gunner, suddenly lush, green fields appear and then out of this wilderness, sparkling in the sun rises the Helmand river bringing life to this barren land.

BBC: Afghanistan: Landing in the camp

In the back of our truck, Bulmaro Vasconcelos, a machine-gunner from Hemet, California, fired into the orchard with a heavy machine gun.

NEWYORKER: The Taliban��s Opium War