Airman returns to Kandahar seven years after witnessing its takeover

Published Nov. 10, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Just weeks after the attacks on the twin towers, Staff Sgt. Isidro Rios deployed to Afghanistan as a supply troop attached to a special operations unit. During his eight-month deployment he was witness to the taking of Kandahar International Airport from Taliban forces.

"The tempo was real hot then," he said. "It was scary at first. There was no one guarding the base so we had to pull security ourselves."

"I got to do a lot of things outside of my career field," he added. "That's what I like about being deployed."

Sergeant Rios, a native of New York, has deployed more than 10 times, but said his first deployment to Afghanistan, and particularly his time at Kandahar, was an eye-opening experience.

"We were told America is at war and to shoot to kill. We don't get those kind of briefings normally," he said. "So I was like, 'OK, this is big time now.' We had some fun times though, and some times when we thought this was going to be the end."

As far as combat deployments, this particular deployment was the best one, said Sergeant Rios. When things happen that's when it gets exciting for him. It is also more rewarding.

"When you work supply with maintenance guys and they call up and say they need a part real bad so you have to get it and take it out to the flightline and help them install it right away to get an aircraft off the ground - it's a good feeling," he said.

"When I deployed here I was ready to go, but after being here I realized we are going to be here a long time," Sergeant Rios added.

His intuition has proved true. Seven years later, he is deployed back to Kandahar, this time for four months as a bare-base supply troop.

"I was excited to come back," said the sergeant, now deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "I wanted to see what it looks like - it's been seven years. There really wasn't much here, except for the airport back then. It's totally different."

A lot about Kandahar has changed. One thing that hasn't is the feeling of purpose and accomplishment that comes with a deployment said Sergeant Rios.

"I always tell my new troops just because you are in supply everyone thinks you are in the back safe in some warehouse, but we are out here on the front lines," he said. "Being out here is a different story. You leave here hopefully with a sense of pride and knowing you've done a good thing."