In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States responded with an extensive military campaign to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Under the codename Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the campaign demonstrated the United States Navy’s critical role in the initial strikes that set a new precedent for maritime warfare. Within a month of the unprecedented attacks on American soil, the U.S. military, supported by NATO and international coalitions, commenced a series of operations that would shape the global war on terrorism.
The attacks of 9/11, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives, were immediately recognized as acts of war. In retaliation, the U.S. military spearheaded OEF, which formally began on October 7, 2001. The initial phase of OEF called for an immense deployment of naval forces, showcasing the adaptability and reach of the Navy’s power. Utilizing six aircraft carrier battle groups (CVBGs), four amphibious ready groups (ARGs), and a substantial surge of support ships, the Navy amassed a force three times the regular deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. The international coalition, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, further reinforced the campaign with additional warfighting capabilities and support functions.
Naval strike warfare dominated the early air campaign, with carrier-based strike fighters and ship-launched cruise missiles targeting Taliban and al-Qaeda strongholds. Attackers, including the destroyers McFaul (DDG-74) and John Paul Jones (DDG-53), as well as British submarines HMS Triumph and HMS Trafalgar, unleashed a barrage of over 50 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles on the evening of October 7, 2001.
Amphibious operations underscored the Navy and Marine Corps’ close relationship, as ARG-MEU combined forces executed missions like the seizure of Forward Operating Base Rhino in southern Afghanistan. The ARGs, such as Peleliu (LHA-5), Bataan (LHD-5), and Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), flexibly executed a variety of expeditions, including the longest-range amphibious assault in U.S. history by Task Force 58 on November 25, 2001.
Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) also played a vital role, ensuring the seas were not used to escape or transport terrorists. NAVCENT established Task Force 50 to conduct air and maritime operations, a mission that included vessels querying, stopping, and searching any craft suspected of moving terrorists or material support.
Relevant articles:
– US Navy in Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001, United States Navy (.mil)