The US Army has just released photos taken moments before the death of Combat Photographer Spc. Hilda I. Clayton.The visual information specialist, assigned to the 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), was killed during a live-fire training exercise in 2013. Four other soldiers, members of the Afghan National Army, also died. One of the Afghan soldiers was a photojournalist-in-training under Clayton.The Army gave an official statement regarding the photos:
"Not only did Clayton help document activities aimed at shaping and strengthening the partnership but she also shared in the risk by participating in the effort...Clayton's death symbolizes how female soldiers are increasingly exposed to hazardous situations in training and in combat on par with their male counterparts."
Combat Camera is a dangerous position. Their primary mission is to help document combat operations for future study and reference. They accompany soldiers into the field, often putting themselves in harm's way to do their job.
Below are the photos that the army released:[caption id="attachment_11393" align="aligncenter" width="838"]
A mortar tube accidentally explodes 2 July 2013 during an Afghan National Army (ANA) live-fire training exercise in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. The accident killed U.S. Army Spc. Hilda I. Clayton and four ANA soldiers. (This photo was taken by Spc. Clayton.)[/caption][caption id="attachment_11392" align="aligncenter" width="838"]
A mortar tube accidentally explodes 2 July 2013 during an Afghan National Army (ANA) live-fire training exercise in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. The accident killed U.S. Army Spc. Hilda I. Clayton and four ANA soldiers. (This photo taken by one of the Afghan soldiers at the moment of the explosion.)[/caption]