Global War on Terrorism

Global War on Terrorism. Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial. The Global War on Terrorism and Afghanistan War commenced on 11 September 2001, after Islamic terrorists hijacked and deliberately crashed four airliners in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pa. The following month, American air and ground forces were attacking Al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Afghanistan; by November 2001 American and allied Afghan forces had driven the Taliban from the capital of Kabul. Despite this early victory, the war continues into 2011 as the Taliban and Al Qaeda insurgents have proved to be and elusive foe in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan., The Iraq war opened on 19 March 2003, to overthrow Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and his threat to peace in the Middle East. A United States led coalition of air and ground forces quickly defeated the Iraqi army and deposed Saddam, but a deadly insurgency developed following the end of major military operations in April 2003. In 2007, new tactics and additional American troops turned the tide of the war and increased safety and stability in Iraq. On 31 August 2010, United States led combat operations officially ended, signifying the successful transfer of Iraq’s security to Iraqi Forces. By the end of 2010, more than 36,000 United States Service Personal had been killed or wounded., Courage Sacrifice Duty, Afghanistan War , 11 September 2001, Jeffrey A. Hall , Waid “Chip” Ramsey, Iraq War , 19 March 2003 15 December 2011, Andrew F. Chris , Scott M. Love , Stephen K. Scott