Naval History and Heritage Command
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 June 28, 2005 by enemy forces while supporting Operation Redwing. (U.S. Navy Photo)
In response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, Operation Enduring Freedom officially began October 7, 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 May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALS 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 (O’Rourke). Operation Enduring Freedom officially ended December 28, 2014, although coalition forces remain on the ground to assist with training Afghan security forces (Torreon).
The U.S. Navy had two Medal of Honor recipients during Operation Enduring Freedom, both Navy SEALS, Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy and Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward C. Byers Jr.
The links below showcase NHHC’s online holdings pertaining to Operation Enduring Freedom.
References
O’Rourke, Ronald. 2015. “Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress.” Congressional Research Report for Congress (November 6): 1.
Torreon, Barbara. 2016. “U.S. Periods of War and Dates of Recent Conflicts.” Congressional Research Report for Congress (September 29): 6–7.
Notable People
- Navy Medal of Honor: Global War on Terrorism
- Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy (SEAL), USN
- Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., USN
- Admiral Michael G. Mullen
- Admiral Gary Roughead
- Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner
Notable Ships
- Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
- John F. Kennedy (CVA-67)
- George Washington (CVN-73)
- Enterprise (CVN-65)
- Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)
- Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
- Constellation (CVA-64)
- Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
- John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
- John Paul Jones (DDG-53)
- Battan (LHD-5)
Special Operations & SEALS
- Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations
- Irregular Enemies and the Essence of Strategy
- Bibliography of Irregular Warfare
- U.S. Special Operation Forces (SOF)
Further Readings
- Al Qaeda - Statements of Evolving Ideology
- Anchor of Resolve
- Cost of Major U.S. Wars
- Peacekeeping and Related Stability Operations: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement
- Islam: A Primer - Congressional Research Service Report for Congress
- Afghanistan Casualties
- Peacekeeping and Related Stability Operations: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement
- Terrorism: A Navy Department Library Research Guide
- Perspectives on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
Blogs
- Operation Enduring Freedom 15 Years Later
- Tomahawk Missiles Brought Power to the Punch During Operation Enduring Freedom
- Michael Murphy
- Honoring Our Veterans: Navy Sailors That Earned our Country's Highest Honor
Paintings
- Naval Nocturne, USS John C. Stennis
- Tomcat Into the Night
- A Day at the Office
- Huey Landing on USS Bataan
Additional Resources
The guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) fires a Tomahawk missile against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, October 7, 2001. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks, 140619-N-ZZ999-167)
