Blast walls, rocket attacks, Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)... and long queues in the canteen. Anyone who deployed to Afghanistan, in whatever role, between 2001-2021 will have their own vivid memories of that time. The journey often began with the flight in – to Kandahar, Kabul or Camp Bastion, where the priority was to avoid Taliban surface-to-air missiles.
Over 20 years, thousands of servicemen and women, along with civilians from various nations, joined the US in their response to the 9/11 attacks, a unique invocation of NATO's Article 5.
After the initial victory over the Taliban, the focus shifted to hunting down al-Qaeda remnants, culminating in decades of conflict characterized by hidden IEDs and ferocious combat.
Throughout this period, many foreign troops, including British, Canadian, and Danish forces, stood alongside their American counterparts in some of the fiercest battles, and significant Afghan casualties also marked this tumultuous era.
This report pays homage to the resilience and courage shown by all who served and emphasizes that their sacrifices deserve recognition, a sentiment echoed amidst recent controversies regarding their contributions.
Over 20 years, thousands of servicemen and women, along with civilians from various nations, joined the US in their response to the 9/11 attacks, a unique invocation of NATO's Article 5.
After the initial victory over the Taliban, the focus shifted to hunting down al-Qaeda remnants, culminating in decades of conflict characterized by hidden IEDs and ferocious combat.
Throughout this period, many foreign troops, including British, Canadian, and Danish forces, stood alongside their American counterparts in some of the fiercest battles, and significant Afghan casualties also marked this tumultuous era.
This report pays homage to the resilience and courage shown by all who served and emphasizes that their sacrifices deserve recognition, a sentiment echoed amidst recent controversies regarding their contributions.
