My dad is in Iraq, how dangerous is it?

My dad works in as a translator in northern Iraq. He goes on missions with the Army Special Forces, and I was wondering what the risk level was? He never tells me anything about the job because he said its very risky. He did however tell me briefly what he does. He goes on missions, finds muslim terrorists, and translates for the army what he is saying. They put the terrorist in a room, tied up and blindfolded, (blindfolded so the terrorist doesn't know what my father looks like.) and he explains to the army what the terrorist is saying. My father also told me he shot a muslim with an M-16 when the terrorist yelled a word, the word he yelled was a word that the Army told my dad he had no choice but to fire at will. There was i believe 30-35 words or phrases my dad was taught to fire if ever said by a terrorist. So he had no choice. I always here its safe and hes going to be fine, but its kind of hard to believe. My uncle was also doing the same job and he was sent back after a terrorist bombing left him with a broken back and sever burn wounds. My father has been there 3 years and so far he is fine. He tells me how he can always here rockets and bombs when he is in his little room trying to sleep. I really just want to know know risky it is.