Completing a historic tour with the US Army
Brigadier Leigh R. Tingey recently returned from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan commanding more than 1,500 US soldiers
In an unusual role for a British Army Officer, Tingey has been commanding US troops while on operations in Afghanistan.
This story is has been put together from an interview by Dave Burge.
“I can literally think of only two or three other British officers who have previously had the privilege of commanding US soldiers on operations.”
— Brigadier Leigh R. Tingey
He recently returned from the prestigious role in Afghanistan, where he was commander of Task Force-Southeast, leading a train, advise and assist mission.
The primary mission was working alongside our Afghan partners — the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, helping them improve the way they organise, train and conduct operations.
“We were extremely busy, and despite the challenges, made significant progress in Southeastern Afghanistan.”
—Brigadier Leigh R. Tingey
Tingey has served with the 1st Armored Division, America’s Tank Division, since August 2018, as part of its command team. This is part of an exchange program between the UK and US and is the second British Officer to serve in this role.
Before going to Afghanistan he helped his US team get ready for its mission. In the run up to the deployment, he led the division-level Exercise Warfighter in Texas.
“The very unique experience of a Warfighter exercise, training armored brigade combat teams and commanding a U.S. task force in Afghanistan for nine months. That is unique.”
— Brigadier Leigh R. Tingey
After returning from his history-making deployment, Tingey is now back at work at Fort Bliss, helping the 1st Armored Division with readiness and modernisation.
“It has been a most incredible two years, both being here at Fort Bliss and getting to work with the people of the (1st Armored) Division.”
— Brigadier Leigh R. Tingey
For Tingey and his family, the past two years have been a remarkable experience, they travelled extensively throughout the United States and made lots of friends both in the military and civilian worlds.
“We will miss a lot of what we have done here, and commanding a US task force in Afghanistan was a truly massive honour and privilege.”
Tingey will soon leave Fort Bliss and return to the UK where he will work closely with the commander of the Field Army, Lt. Gen. Ivan Jones.
