Members of Angel Company training among their tents during their early days at Camp Buehring, Kuwait (courtesy of Ryan A. Conklin).

The bus that shuttled Angel Company to the ranges from Camp Buehring in Kuwait gets stuck in the sand out in the middle of nowhere after the local driver insisted on driving like a maniac (courtesy of Ryan A. Conklin).

Sergeant Aric Hilmo, First Platoon's Forward Observer, was always a source of entertainment, both deployed and stateside (courtesy of Evan L. Pitchford).

The sandbag pyramid referred to as the "Gun Pit" outside the front entrance of FOB Union III in Baghdad (courtesy of Evan L. Pitchford).

Specialist Ryan A. Conklin and Specialist Brendan Fooks on guard in the gun pit of the front entrance to FOB Union III in Baghdad (courtesy of Evan L. Pitchford).

Specialist Taylor Edwards was Conklin's partner in crime when it came to voicing their opinions about what they were doing - regardless of the repercussions (courtesy of Ryan Avery).

Specialist Ryan Avery, Conklin's closest buddy in the platoon, is pictured on his cot at Camp Stryker just moments after a rocket impacted near the platoon's tent during their travel up north (courtesy of Ryan A. Conklin).

Staff Sergeant Jimmy Post was a strict but knowledgeable non-commissioned officer and squad leader for Weapons Squad (courtesy of Vinse Edwards).

"Well Come To Tikrit" was written on the sign that Angel Company passed every time they drove into downtown Tikrit (courtesy of Ryan A. Conklin).