Our first combined operation was to try to create a bit of a stir and flush out the bad guys. The troop was split, half leaving just after dark, as we had to walk a long way to be in position by first light; the other half left very early in the morning but still under cover of darkness. The night sky, as usual, was very clear; there was no moon and the air was cool, almost perfect conditions for the walk. There was enough ambient light from the stars for our NVGs to capture and magnify, so we could see.