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Combat Zone was a television show that premiered on the Military Channel in 2007, and was produced by Studio Lambert. The show was a docudrama that presented the experiences of soldiers in combat zones. Each episode showcased a different group of soldiers serving in either Afghanistan or Iraq and provided an insight into the challenges they faced on a daily basis.

The show utilized interviews with the soldiers themselves, as well as archival footage and dramatic recreations. The dramatizations depicted the soldiers' experiences, from their initial deployment to their return home, and included everything from intense firefights to everyday tasks like repairing vehicles and interacting with locals.

Across the episodes, Combat Zone provided a comprehensive portrait of the many different roles soldiers take on while serving in a combat zone. For example, one episode followed a group of Army medics as they treated wounded soldiers in the heat of battle. Another episode focused on a Marine reconnaissance unit, highlighting the heightened need for caution and stealth in their unique line of duty.

In addition to the soldiers' experiences, the show also explored other aspects of combat zones, such as the impact on soldiers' families back home. Interviews with wives, parents, and siblings provided a glimpse into the emotional toll of long deployments, an aspect of military service that can be overlooked in other shows and media.

One of the key strengths of Combat Zone was the way in which it conveyed the reality of combat while eschewing sensationalism. The show did not shy away from the grisly and traumatic aspects of servicemen and women's experiences, but neither did it fetishize violence or glamourize warfare. Instead, it presented an honest and poignant portrayal of the human costs of war.

Another strength of the show was its attention to detail in depicting life in a combat zone. From the landscape to the equipment to the language spoken, every element was carefully crafted to evoke the sensory experience of being on the ground in these places.

Throughout its run on the Military Channel, Combat Zone earned critical praise for its unique approach to documenting the realities of combat. Reviewers applauded the show's commitment to presenting the diverse experiences of different military units, as well as its sensitive portrayal of the emotional toll such work can take on soldiers and their loved ones.

Despite its acclaim, Combat Zone was not without controversy. Some critics felt that the show was too focused on presenting a heroic narrative of soldiering, and that it did not sufficiently address the larger political context surrounding these conflicts. Others felt that the show risked glorifying war by presenting its subject matter in an inherently exciting and adrenalized way.

However, fans of the show argued that it succeeded precisely because it focused on the lived experiences of individual soldiers, rather than abstract political debates. For many, the show offered a rare glimpse into a world that is too often hidden from public view or distorted by media hype.

Overall, Combat Zone was a groundbreaking television show that provided an in-depth and nuanced look at the realities of serving in a combat zone. By presenting the unvarnished truth of soldiers' lives, and acknowledging the complex emotions and political realities that surround warfare, the show offered a unique and powerful perspective on one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Combat Zone is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between January 5, 2009 and on Military Channel