Operation Enduring Freedom
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Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used by the U.S. government for both the first stage (2001–2014) of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and related military operations during the broader-scale global war on terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced that airstrikes against al-Qaeda and the Taliban had begun in Afghanistan.[12] Beyond the military activities in Afghanistan, a number of U.S military command structures operating under the Operation Enduring Freedom banner were also affiliated with several counterterrorism missions in other countries, such as OEF-Philippines and OEF-Trans Sahara.[13][14]
After 13 years, on 28 December 2014, President Barack Obama announced the end of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.[15] Subsequent operations in Afghanistan by the United States' military forces, both non-combat and combat, occurred under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel.[16]
Subordinate operations
[edit]Operation Enduring Freedom referred to the American-led combat mission in Afghanistan.[17][18] The codename was also used for counter-terrorism operations in other countries targeting Al Qaeda and remnants of the Taliban, such as OEF-Philippines, OEF-Trans Sahara, and possibly in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge,[19] primarily through government funding vehicles.[13][14]
- Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), 7 October 2001–31 December 2014. Succeeded by Operation Freedom's Sentinel.[20]
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P, formerly Operation Freedom Eagle), 15 January 2002 – 24 February 2015[21][22]
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa (OEF-HOA)
- Operation Juniper Shield, formerly known as Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara (OEF-TS; see also Insurgency in the Maghreb)
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Caribbean and Central America (OEF-CCA)[23]
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Kyrgyzstan, 18 December 2001 – 3 June 2014[24]
Etymology
[edit]The U.S. government used the term "Operation Enduring Freedom" to officially describe the War in Afghanistan, from the period between 7 October 2001 and 31 December 2014.[20][25] Subsequent operations in Afghanistan by the United States' military forces, both non-combat and combat, occurred under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel.[16]
The operation was originally called "Operation Infinite Justice", but as similar phrases have been used by adherents of several religions as an exclusive description of God, it is believed to have been changed to avoid offense to Muslims who are the majority religion in Afghanistan.[26] In September 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush's remark that "this crusade, this war on terrorism, is going to take a while," which prompted widespread criticism from the Islamic world, may also have contributed to the renaming of the operation.[26]
The term "OEF" typically refers to the phase of the War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. Other operations, such as the Georgia Train and Equip Program, are only loosely or nominally connected, such as through government funding vehicles.[13] All the operations, however, have a focus on counterterrorism activities.
Operation Enduring Freedom, which was a joint U.S., U.K., and Afghan operation, was separate from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was an operation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations including the U.S. and the U.K.