U.S. Special Operations Command and the War on Terror
Abstract
On October 19, 2001, U.S. Special Operators were the first forces to bring the war on terror to the enemy in his own back yard as Operation Enduring Freedom began in earnest. Formed around the nucleus of the 5th Special Forces Group, small numbers of Special Operators, along with allied special forces and the CIA, executed a classic unconventional warfare campaign using advanced technology combined with the tried and true methods of organizing indigenous forces (the Northern Alliance and others) to rapidly rout the Taliban and free the people of Afghanistan from their brutal rule. In the next phase of the war on terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Special Operations Forces were again first on the ground. Responsible for multiple combat fronts, they fixed the location of Iraqi army divisions while conventional forces made their drive from the south. These initial operations sent a strong message that terrorism and its sponsorship will draw a significant response. Since 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan have been the most visible battlegrounds in the war on terror. However, Special Operators have been heavily engaged in less publicized ventures. In the Philippines and the Pacific Rim, they are working closely with and training partner nations' forces to track, locate, and neutralize the terrorist threats within their borders. In the tri-border region of South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay), they are helping bring law and order to an area long known for its illicit activities and now associated with terrorist organizations. In the Pan-Sahel region of Africa, Special Operators, along with conventional forces, are training and assisting new partner nations in developing capabilities to deny terrorists freedom of movement and a new sanctuary. This fight is global, and Special Operators are leading the way in every engagement they undertake.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA481636
Entities
People
- Dell L. Dailey
- Jeffrey G. Webb
Organizations
- United States Special Operations Command