Marines use shovels to attempt to dig out a Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicle in the rain Dec. 19 after it sunk into the soft mud flats near Observation Post "ManBearPig." The MRAP was freed with the help of a recovery vehicle. Marines say thick, deep mud like this is typical in the arid farming area in northwestern Nawa district. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill/ DoD)