Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the U.S.-led military campaign launched on October 7, 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks, with the primary objectives of dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power in Afghanistan. The operation began with American and British airstrikes targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban forces, followed by ground assaults involving U.S. and coalition troops. Initially successful in toppling the Taliban and weakening al-Qaeda, OEF expanded to include counterterrorism efforts in other regions. A significant milestone occurred on May 2, 2011, when U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Combat operations in Afghanistan officially ended on December 28, 2014, transitioning to Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, focusing on training Afghan security forces and ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

Learn More:

• Afghanistan War Exposures: VA.gov
• Attack on Afghanistan Begins: History.com
• Casualty Report: Defense Casualty Analysis System
• Operation Enduring Freedom PDF: U.S. Army Center of Military History
• Operation Enduring Freedom: Naval History and Heritage Command
• Operation Enduring Freedom: Wikipedia Entry
• Operation Freedom’s Sentinel: Wikipedia Entry
• Presidential Address Historical Footage: Military Times, October 7, 2001
• The 2001 Invasion of Afghanistan Historical Footage: ABC News Special 2001
• The U.S. Navy in Operation Enduring Freedom: Naval History and Heritage Command
• Timeline – The U.S. War in Afghanistan: Council on Foreign Relations
• War in Afghanistan: Wikipedia Entry

Support is Available
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