Until a few years ago, Nad Ali was a relatively peaceful district in the central Helmand river valley.

BBC: UK troops launch Operation Tor Shezada in Afghanistan

About 4, 000 marines - many of them redeployed from operations in Iraq - moved into the Helmand River, supported by helicopters and Afghan troops.

BBC: US president sets Afghan target

Senior coalition commanders in Kabul said their troops could push through the villages and farms along the Helmand River in a matter of days.

WSJ: U.S. Starts Afghan Surge

The Marines at Combat Outpost Pennsylvania, in the contentious Helmand Province, are charged with rooting out insurgents along the highway that shadows the Helmand River up to the vital Kajaki Dam.

WSJ: When the Troops Were Very Young

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