2003 Photography Contest
Best of Show
photos by Rick Loomis
The Los Angeles Times - Los Angeles, CA
Chasing Ghosts Across Afghanistan
Rocky Landing
Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne duck away from debris as a Blackhawk helicopter prepares to move troops while on a mission to search remote villages in southeastern Afghanistan.
Have You Seen This Guy?
A soldier demands an explaination for why an image of Osama bin Laden was found hanging on the wall of a one room mud home.
Needle in a Haystack
The atmosphere is often uneasy as American soldiers surprise curious villagers by questioning their allegiances and searching their properties. Most are compliant but do not hide their disdain for these foreign fighters after suffering through years of Soviet occupation.
Much Ground to Cover
A full moon hangs over the barren Afghan landscape that U.S. forces are scouring for enemy forces. Rough terrain makes the job tedious and painstakingly slow for the armored Humvee.
Nooks and Crannies
U.S. Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne division make their way through a river canyon while on a mission to destroy weapons stockpiled in the remote mountains of eastern Afghanistan. After more than two decades of war, an excess of munitions remains a dangerous threat.
Scanning the Mountainside
Using powerful binoculars, a U.S. Special Forces soldier scans cave entrances high on a mountain while on patrol in one of the highest mountain ranges in the region.
Purging A Threat
Flaming projectiles burst skyward during a planned detonation of 90 rockets found in a mountain cave, sending rocks raining down on troops.
Dangerous Work
U.S. Army private Gabriel Watt writhes in pain while waiting for a medevac helicopter to remove him from a remote area in eastern Afghanistan. His ankle was shattered by a falling rock after the detonation of a cache of rockets found inside a cave.
Night Ops
Staff Sgt. Dan pats down an Afghan man while Master Sgt. Frank keeps his weapon trained on other subjects stopped for questioning during a nighttime check point. (Note: Photograph was made using night vision equipment which causes the green tint)
The Search Continues
Members of the 82nd Airborne head back to their base of operations after a two-day operation that was conducted in an area of southeastern Afghanistan. They found no signs of an enemy force.
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