It’s midday along the vast roadways in Qaim, Iraq, a fierce insurgent sanctuary nestled between the Euphrates River and the Syrian border. Peppered throughout the troubled region are Iraqi rebels, al Qaeda fighters, and deadly IEDs.

Foot patrols are essential in the area. You’re tasked with the dangerous, deadly mission to identify and destroy hidden explosives along the roadway. One wrong move and you could detonate the bomb and face certain death. Any IEDs you miss can take the lives of coalition forces to follow. But that’s just the harrowing start of it.

Improvised explosive devices are often used as a primary engagement against US forces, an initial blow that’s followed by a swift and cunning ambush by insurgents. This operation is two-fold: First, move with caution to safely identify the IEDs ahead of your patrol. Then, should you survive, be prepared to face the enemy lying in wait.