Editor's Note: The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of Vice, an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn, New York. VBS.TV is Vice's broadband television network. The reports, which are produced solely by Vice, reflect a very transparent approach to journalism, where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process. We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers. New York (HBO) -- In February 2010, U.S. Marines launched Afghanistan: Operation Moshtarak, the biggest operation since the start of the Afghanistan war. Its main target was the Taliban stronghold of Marjah, a town in Helmand province. Journalist Ben Anderson, who spent two months with the American forces, offers an extraordinarily intimate look at the brutal realities of modern-day warfare in the harrowing documentary "The Battle For Marjah," debuting Thursday, February 17 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on HBO, marking the first anniversary of this historic battle.
@highlight
Documentary marks first anniversary of largest operation since start of the Afghan war
@highlight
"The Battle For Marjah" shot by journalist who was embedded with U.S. forces for two months
@highlight
Film looks at brutality of war, offers glimpse of Marines' personal lives
Still, as one Marine remarks, "@placeholder fight battles, they don't fight wars."