OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
8 Step Troop Leading Procedures
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This Map shows Helmand Provience, Afghanistan
(image source: www.afghantribes.com/page/174)
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM commenced in 2001 with allied air strikes on Taliban and al Qaeda in response to the World Trade Center attack. The operation was launched to stop the Taliban from providing a safe haven and base of operations to al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Cross referencing the coalition efforts against the Human Dimensions characters portrays four outcomes.
Physical Supremacy: There is no doubt that Coalition dominated physically on the battlefield, but the Taliban still had influence over the population after the new tactics of suicide bombers and assassinations.
Decisive Cognitive Edge: The projects to support governance with daily employment and reintegration were key aspects but had limitations. For example, the daily employment of military aged males in clearing irrigation systems is a U.S. supported effort and may be temporary. Once the U.S. forces withdraw from Afghanistan, the perception is the program will withdraw as well. The reintegration project also provided quality vocational training for the long term aspects of the program. Reducing the poppy field production by growing subsidized wheat has significant impact, but the wheat production may decrease with U.S. forces withdrawal.
Cultural Understanding over Potential Adversaries: Doubling the amount of schools and access to health care provided a long-lasting and positive effect. Improving the roadways allowed for better transport to the markets which improved commerce. Unfortunately, the roadways also served as opportunities for the Taliban and criminal elements to set up illegal checkpoints. With some many people on the road, these checkpoints were used to extort illegal tolls.
Taliban Accomplishments to Their Cause: Even though the Taliban were forced out of the population areas, thier intimidation influence with their high profile attacks allowed the Taliban to remainrelevant.
To learn more about operational adaptability and the Afghanistan war, please listen to the below podcast from NPR with Lance Corporal Jake Romo. Lance Corporal Romo discusses his experiences in Afghanistan where he lost both of his legs during his tour of duty. A true American hero. At 16 minutes into the program, the discussion of combat in Helmand province is the subject. This paints an accurate picture of the operational environment. In addition, there are similar discussions of the educational and medical improvements in Helmand that portray the impacts of leaders who use operational adaptability to their advantage.
Download the full transcript of NPR and Lance Corporal Romo here.
Created by Michael McCarthy
Last Updated: 21 June, 2015