4IBCT Soldiers write their final chapter in Kandahar

Photo By Sgt. Nelson Robles | Spc. Josh Sinde, an infantryman in 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stands watch over the Quick Reaction Force vehicles, April 23, 2014. As part of the QRF he must be ready at a moment's notice in case of any emergency. (US Army photo by Sgt. Nelson Robles 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)  

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

04.18.2014

Story by Sgt. Nelson Robles 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – For two Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, this is the last chapter of their stories in Afghanistan, written throughout multiple deployments to the region spanning nine years.

Staff Sgt. Lee Lingo and Spc. Josh Sinde, both with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, served in Afghanistan before and said they have seen a change in the Afghan forces from previous deployments compared to this one.

“It’s great to see them taking ownership of their country,” said Lingo, military policeman, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4IBCT, and noncommissioned officer in charge of the Base Defense Operations Center. “The Afghan National Army now do a majority of the patrols, it seems their training has paid off.”

During Lingo’s first deployment in 2005, he said he saw the creation of the Afghan Uniform Police and the beginnings of their training.

“Back then it was much more kinetic,” Lingo said. “Within our security convoys you might only find one Afghan Uniform Police vehicle, we ran a lot of missions trying to put them [AUP] out front, to give them legitimacy among their people. We were trying to put and Afghan face to Afghan security.

“During my second deployment, the AUP began to do their own security patrols,” said Lingo. “We were still supporting and advising them when needed and handled the quick reaction force operations.”

Now in his third tour of Afghanistan, Lingo is adjusting to the current train, advise and assist mission.

“Looking from then till now, the difference is night and day, they are a professional force,” Lingo said. “It’s a strange feeling to take a back seat...”

Sinde had different experiences, but shared a common theme with Lingo of the progression the Afghan Security Forces have made.

“The last time I deployed we were training the Afghan National Army, making sure they knew how to react to fire and defend their convoys,” said Spc. Josh Sinde, an infantryman on his second deployment with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4IBCT. “This time they do their own patrols and handle their own security but they know if they need our support, we are here for them.”

Since Sinde’s first deployment in 2012 to Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, with 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, he said he has seen the Afghan National Security Forces taking the lead on securing their country.

“I think we provided them with the great training and equipment,” Sinde said. “I feel they are ready to protect their country.”

• Date Taken: 04.18.2014
• Date Posted: 04.29.2014 07:58
• Story ID: 127996
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF