Middlesex Township in Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Operating for Freedom
The U.S. Army in Afghanistan & Iraq, 2001-2006
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026
1. Operating for Freedom Marker
To honor the service and sacrifice of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center has completed a major expansion and reinterpretation of the Army Heritage Trails existing GWOT exhibit. The new immersive outdoor installation explores the operational environments, dangers, and daily realities experienced by Soldiers during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001-2006.
Representing the largest addition to the Army Heritage Trail since its creation in 2005, the exbibit features two interconnected interpretive spaces: an Entry Control Point (ECP) in Iraq and a Combat Outpost (COP) in Afghanistan. Together, these environments examine the evolution of modern warfare through the lens of counterinsurgency operations, force protection, sustainment, and the lived experiences of deployed Soldiers.
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, 2nd Iraq • War, Afghanistan.
Location. 40° 12.459′ N, 77° 9.547′ W. Memorial is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It is on Army Heritage Trail, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: U.S Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Guard Tower: (here, next to this marker); Afghanistan Combat Outpost, circa 2005 (here, next to this marker); Tactical Operations Center (TOC): (here, next to this marker); The Humvee High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) (a few steps from this marker); Bunkhouse: (a few steps from this marker); Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo A2 Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Warrant Officer 4 William F. Hale (Retired) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Other markers no longer nearby. HESCO Barriers (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO in Iraq (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO in Afghanistan (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); HESCO at Home (was within shouting distance of this marker but has
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026
2. Operating for Freedom wayside
The COP exhibit
Also see . . .
1. War on terror. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 9, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. Website homepage (Submitted on August 9, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 30, 2026
3. The ECP exhibit
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
