October 2011 - United States Special Operations Command

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sponsored them. The search led to al Qaeda, a terrorist organization led by the radical, exiled Saudi named Usama bin Laden, headquartered in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. U.S. Central Command was directed to develop a plan that would eliminate Afghanistan as a sponsor of— and safe haven for—international terrorists. Planners’ primary objective was to specifically destroy the al Qaeda network and capture or kill its leadership. But Afghanistan presented significant challenges: diverse, rugged geography would prove a formidable challenge, especially in winter, which comes early in most of Afghanistan, particularly in the mountains. Planners recognized that though bombing and cruise-missile attacks could be launched soon, which they did on Oct. 7, 2001, it was unlikely they alone would be decisive, requiring a more substantial effort that would necessitate time to mobilize and deploy. In the interim, military planners determined that an unconventional option could fill the gap and deliver initial, decisive blows against the enemy; however, CENTCOM lacked an Unconventional Warfare plan for Afghanistan. Initially, Special Operations Command–Central was tasked with developing plans to support Combat Search and Rescue; but recognizing and anticipating a greater potential role for SOF, SOCCENT planners began preparing a UW plan. The idea of using SOF was recognized by senior leaders in the Pentagon as well. Less than two weeks after the attack, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz passed a memorandum to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld suggesting the use of Special Forces in Afghanistan. Instead of using Special Forces to unilaterally attack enemy targets, the deputy secretary suggested they partner with existing anti-Taliban and anti-al Qaeda forces. The memo outlined the military advantages of such a strategy—an outline that almost perfectly mirrored SOCCENT’s plan. Days later, SOCCENT briefed its UW plan to Gen. Tommy Franks, the CENTCOM commander. At the conclusion of the briefing, Franks stated simply, “Okay. Do it.” With that, SOF would be the initial main effort of America’s response, soon to be named Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The plan, developed by SOCCENT, approved by Franks and suggested by Wolfowitz to Rumsfeld utilized Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha, augmented by Air Force tactical air controllers, to land deep in hostile territory, establish contact with members of the Northern Alliance resistance and then coordinate their activities in a series of offensive operations against the enemy. The ODAs, Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz working with indigenous Islamic, anti-Taliban partners, would identify enemy forces, positions and assets and then call for massive U.S. airpower to bear against their enemies. The UW campaign commenced during the cool, dark hours Oct. 19, 2001, when the first two teams of Task Force DAGGER infiltrated Afghanistan and rendezvoused with their Afghan counterparts. In the weeks to come, images of SOF Operators on horseback, riding across barren Afghan landscape with their allies in pursuit of the enemy, were broadcast around the world, the images invoking a peculiar combination of historic 19th century cavalry and 20th century technology. Two weeks after insertion, Mazar-e Sharif fell, followed by Kabul on Nov. 14; Konduz on Nov. 23, and Kandahar on Dec. 7. By the end of the month, the Taliban government was deposed, and significant damage had been inflicted on al Qaeda. Where the Soviets had failed after nearly a decade of brutal war waged by a 100,000-man military presence, small teams of elite SOF, partnered with Afghan resistance fighters, had seemingly succeeded. The Taliban government was overthrown, and al Qaeda lost its Afghan safe haven. The next challenge for the Coalition: securing the peace. Tip of the Spear 38
Army Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Army Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr. 75th Ranger Regiment Marine Sgt. Christopher Diaz Headquarters Battalion Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Army Sgt. Tyler Nicholas Holtz 75th Ranger Regiment Army Staff Sgt. Michael W. Hosey 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Navy Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson SEAL Team 10 Marine Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion Editor’s note: Honored are Special Operations Forces who lost their lives since August’s Tip of the Spear.
Page 2 and 3: AFSOC Combat Controller receives Ai
Page 4 and 5: Tip of the Spear 4
Page 6 and 7: Romanian and Norwegian special oper
Page 8 and 9: By: Spc. Bethany L. Little 40th Pub
Page 10 and 11: Tip of the Spear 10 A Chilean Marin
Page 12 and 13: 2 1) Chilean military members assig
Page 14 and 15: By Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp USASO
Page 16 and 17: Tip of the Spear 16 Spec. Jeshua St
Page 18 and 19: 33rd Superfrog Triathlon honors Pos
Page 20 and 21: Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr. mee
Page 22 and 23: By Matt Durham AFSOC Public Affairs
Page 24 and 25: Tip of the Spear 24
Page 26 and 27: By Staff Sgt. Richard A. Williams J
Page 28 and 29: MARSOC Sailor awarded Silver Star M
Page 30 and 31: Tip of the Spear 30 Outgoing senior
Page 32 and 33: Tip of the Spear 32 Two members of
Page 34 and 35: SORDAC members win top DOD awards B
Page 36 and 37: USSOCOM graduates senior leaders wa
Page 40: An MH-47 from the 160th Special Ope

October 2011 - United States Special Operations Command

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