Iraq: on patrol with 101st Airborne

Troops climb on to a roof to set up an observation post Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

A soldier scans the area from the rooftop Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

A sandstorm envelops the troops Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Iraqi and American soldiers in a house they've taken over near the Mahdi army offices Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Tired troops resort to sleeping on a concrete floor Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

A soldier walks past an Iraqi army vehicle that was hit during an attempt to take back the Mahdi army offices Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

A soldier peers out of a window as his position comes under fire Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Soldiers raid the house of a woman whose husband is wanted for laying IEDs (improvised explosive devices) Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

Troops come under fire while on patrol Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

An exhausted soldier props his head against a plastic chair in the Mahdi army offices Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian