What Tampa Bay vets who fought in Afghanistan think about the pull-out Here are some candid reflections on Afghanistan from the men and women who were there. Â Â Afghan security forces stand on Humvee vehicles during a military operation in Arghandab district of Kandahar province last month. [ JAVED TANVEER | AFP ] Published May 6 They fought. They led. They planned. They bled. They lost a loved one to combat. As the United States prepares to pull its troops out of Afghanistan on the orders of President Joe Biden, those with a direct stake in 20 years of warfare reflect on service and sacrifice in Afghanistan.