OIF Deployment Photos

Staff Sgt. Leonard Bergantzel, a track mechanic for the 286th Ordnance Co., uses a blow torch to fabricate a piece of side armor inside the maintenance support team's workshop on Kirkuk Air Base Aug. 18. The side armor will be used to protect Soldiers situated in the rear of cargo HMMWVs. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Kristen Badeaux, a general construction equipment operator for Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn., attempts a jump shot during the 2 On 2 Hot Shot Basketball event inside the Kirkuk gym Aug. 21. Badeaux and her teammate, Jimmy Fryer, a combat engineer for Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn., won the gold with a total score of 57. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Jerwayne Jones, the communications NCOIC for Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn., dives to the finish line with three sandbags to beat his competitors in the Sandbag Relay Race Aug. 21. Jones' team eventually won the gold in the event. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

John Hallett, the executive officer for Co. A, TF 1-21 INF, carries two 25-pound sandbags as part of the Sandbag Relay Race Aug. 21. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Soldiers of Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn., celebrate another gold medal during the Kirkuk Olympics award presentation Aug. 22. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Sgt. Lonnie Todaro, the senior combat medic for Co. A, TF 1-21 INF, points out medical supplies inside of an ambulance to a Amu Shabi clinic worker August 19. Co. A, TF 1-21 donated the fully-stocked ambulance to the clinic that serves more than 9,000 people in Amu Shabi, which is located just outside of Kirkuk. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Spc. Ryan Koehn, a mortarman with Co. A, TF 1-21 INF, pulls security behind an add-on armor door during a mission in Kirkuk. These steel armor doors have been tested to withstand a shot from a .50 caliber round while the window can take a shot from a 7.62 mm round. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

The sun beams down on a painting mural of Staff Sgt. Todd E. Nunes, a squad leader from Co. A, TF 1-21 INF, who was killed during an insurgent attack on May 2 in Kirkuk. The mural can be seen while leaving the Gator Patrol Base in Kirkuk, home of Co. A, TF 1-21 INF. The mural helps remind Soldiers of the dangers out there and to remember their fallen comrade. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Raymond Santiago, a .50 cal gunner for HHC, TF 1-21 INF, prepares to smack a softball during the Homerun Derby event Aug. 22. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Cory Gifford, a scout with HHC, TF 1-21 INF, traverses on monkey bars toward the yellow ribbon in the first event of the obstacle course Aug. 22. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Eugenio Amador, an infantryman with Co. C, TF 1-21 INF, sprints to the finish line of the obstacle course Aug. 22. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons