Four years ago, combat photographer specialist Hilda Clayton lost her life during a life-fire exercise training operation in Afghanistan but she did not stop clicking till her last moments. A mortar tube explosion in the Laghman province is what killed her, along with four Afghan soldiers. 

The US Army's Military Review Journal recently published the pictures from that moment, with her family's permission, of course. Clayton was attached to the 4th Armoured Brigade Combat Team and was part of a training mission.

© US Army

Her team oversaw certifying Afghan forces to able to carry out mortar operations.

The 22-year old’s job was just to document the exercise, but everything went terribly wrong when the mortar tube was accidentally triggered.

© US Army

The Military Review Journal article accompanying the photographs reads: "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.”

© US Army

"Combat Camera soldiers are trained to take still and video imagery in any environment. Their primary mission is to accompany combat soldiers wherever deployed to document the history of combat operations. Clayton's death symbolizes how female soldiers are increasingly exposed to hazardous situations in training and in combat on par with their male counterparts."

After the incident, Combat Camera has named a photographic competition after Ms Clayton, to honour her. 

Hilda Clayton took photos of the blast that took her life.

Damn.

RIP.#hero https://t.co/2xGy4NSG8m

Blessings to the family, friends and fellow officers of Army Spc. Hilda Clayton. Thank You for your service. pic.twitter.com/EA4G1fzImq

According to the Augusta Chronicle, during her funeral in 2013, Colonel Bill Benson said: "Though not assigned directly to Long Knife, Spc. Clayton embodied the Cavalry spirit. She was always willing to take on any mission and she pursued every opportunity to tell our story with her images.

"Our deepest condolences are with her husband, her parents, and her family and friends at home. Though nothing can fill the void that has been left, I hope that there is some consolation in knowing that Spc. Clayton was a valuable member of the Long Knife team and that she made a positive difference every day that she was with us."

Ms Clayton's husband, Chase, wrote an emotional post online saying: "Rest in peace my beautiful wife. She passed doing what she loved for her country. I love and miss you baby. See you in another life. Rest in paradise my love."