Operation Enduring Freedom
Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left to right: Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, Calif; Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, N.H.; Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell; Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nev.; Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y. With the exception of the lone survivor, Luttrell, all were killed 28 June 2005 by enemy forces while supporting Operation Redwing. (U.S. Navy Photo)
In response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, Operation Enduring Freedom officially began 7 October 2001 with American and British bombing strikes against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Initially, the Taliban was removed from power and al-Qaeda was seriously crippled, but forces continually dealt with a stubborn Taliban insurgency, infrastructure rebuilding, and corruption among the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and Afghan Border Police.
On 2 May 2011, U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, Land) launched a raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing the al-Qaeda leader and mastermind of the September 11th terrorist’s attacks. Operation Enduring Freedom officially ended on 28 December 2014, although coalition forces remained on the ground to assist with training Afghan security forces. The United States Armed Forces completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on 30 August 2021, marking the end of the 2001-2021 war.
The U.S. Navy had three Medal of Honor recipients during Operation Enduring Freedom—Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward C. Byers Jr. and Master Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski. All were all Navy SEALS.
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Chronology
- The U.S. Navy in Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001-2002 by NHHC historian Greg Bereiter, PhD
Suggested Reading
- Anchor of Resolve
- Peacekeeping and Related Stability Operations: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement
- Perspectives on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
- Navy Special Warfare
- Irregular Enemies and the Essence of Strategy
- National Archives - Afghanistan
- U.S. Department of State - The Global War on Terrorism: The First 100 Days
- Cost of Major U.S. Wars
- Naval Aviation News January/February 2002: Operation Enduring Freedom: Naval Aviation Targets Terrorism
- Terrorism: A Navy Department Library Research Guide
- Bibliography of Irregular Warfare
Notable People
Selected Imagery
This tactical training vest and accessories belonged to Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski. MCPO Slabinski was awarded the Medal of Honor on 24 May 2018 for his actions in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda in 2002.
SR-25 Sniper Rifle carried by SCPO Britt Slabinski in Afghanistan during 2002.
Huey Landing On USS Bataan. Painting, Oil on Canvas; by Kristopher J. Battles; 2015; Framed Dimensions 12H x 18W. (Navy Art Accession #2015-011-08)
Tomcat Into the Night. Painting, Oil on Canvas; by Morgan Ian Wilbur; 2002; Framed Dimensions 29H X 35W. (Navy Art Accession #2002-093-02)
Naval Nocturne, USS John C. Stennis. Painting, Oil on Canvas; by Morgan Ian Wilbur; 2009; Framed Dimensions 24H X 32W. (Navy Art Accession #2009-020-05)
