The Marines' Afghan Theater: A Story Of Valor And Sacrifice

The US Marines have a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, dating back to the War in Afghanistan in 2001, also known as Operation Enduring Freedom. Within two months of the September 11 attacks, US Marines were among the first major ground forces in Afghanistan, focused on defeating Al-Qaeda. The Marines played a crucial role in capturing Kandahar Airport, establishing one of the first coalition command centres in the country. The conflict in Afghanistan marked another chapter in the legacy of the US Marine Corps, known for their tenacity and unwavering commitment to defending national interests.

US Marines were the first major ground forces in Afghanistan

The US Marines were the first major ground forces in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Within two months of the attacks, Marines were in Afghanistan, focused on defeating Al-Qaeda.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was the first to arrive in Afghanistan, tasked with securing Camp Rhino, a small airfield just south of Kandahar. Members of the CIA and special operations forces had been in the country for months, but as of November 25, 2001, no conventional US forces had set foot in the nation.

The Marines' arrival marked the beginning of the US war on terror, with the stated purpose of the invasion being to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy Al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime, which had provided them support and safe harbour.

By mid-December 2001, Marine forces had captured Kandahar Airport, creating one of the first coalition command centres. The Taliban regime unravelled rapidly after its loss at Mazar-e-Sharif on November 9, 2001, and over the next week, Taliban strongholds fell one after the other.

The Marines' presence in Afghanistan was part of Operation Enduring Freedom, which involved a NATO coalition whose initial goals were to train the Afghan National Security Forces and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions. However, coalition forces gradually became involved in the broader war as Taliban resistance continued.

Marines were focused on defeating Al-Qaeda

The War in Afghanistan, also known as Operation Enduring Freedom, began in 2001, with the Marines being the first major ground forces in the country. Within two months of the 9/11 attacks, the Marines were focused on defeating Al-Qaeda.

By mid-December, Marine forces had captured Kandahar Airport, creating one of the first coalition command centres. The Marines' innovative tactical strategies, including intense close air support for ground forces, proved vital in capturing the Japanese airfield.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was the first conventional troops to land in Afghanistan, securing Camp Rhino, a small airfield just south of Kandahar. The MEU provided the U.S. military with a unique capability unmatched by any other service. The middleweight force provided by the MEU is ideal for capturing and securing an airfield when invading a region and slowly building up a presence.

The 24th MEU was also involved in the war in Afghanistan, defending a runway at Hamid Karzai International Airport as U.S. troops were withdrawing from the country. The MEU was the first unit sent to the airport, setting up a defensive line and later joined by 800 Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command and elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

The War in Afghanistan ended much as it began, with U.S. Marines defending a runway.

Marines captured Kandahar Airport

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Marines were among the first major ground forces in Afghanistan, with the goal of defeating Al-Qaeda. Within two months, by mid-December 2001, Marine forces had captured Kandahar Airport, which became one of the first coalition command centres.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was the first conventional troops to land in Afghanistan. They were tasked with securing Camp Rhino, a small airfield just south of Kandahar, where more U.S. troops flew in as the invasion force was gathered. The MEU sent in Battalion Landing Team 1/8, along with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, to help secure the airport and process evacuees as U.S. troops withdrew from the country.

The capture of Kandahar Airport by U.S. Marines was part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Light Armored Reconnaissance element of the 15th MEU and elements of the 26th MEU secured the airport in mid-December 2001, just weeks after the first coalition footprint was established by the U.S. Army at Camp Rhino. The airport was captured through an air insertion that coincided with a rapid overland push from troops based at Camp Rhino.

Major battles between the Taliban and local anti-Taliban forces had taken place at the airport just days before the arrival of coalition troops. When they arrived, they found abandoned weapons, including a BM-21 still loaded with rockets, scattered around the terminal. Australian and Canadian special forces were among the first coalition troops to relocate to Kandahar Airport, and by Christmas Day, the U.S.-led coalition had established a presence of at least 1,000 troops.

A perimeter was quickly secured around the terminal building and airstrip, and initially, all troops worked and lived in and around the main terminal building. Basic ablutions were established in the middle of a large rose garden in front of the building, but shower facilities were not available for several weeks. The accommodation area expanded along the airfield towards where the current military base is located, and by April, the coalition presence had grown to several thousand personnel.

Marines defended Kabul airport

The defence of Kabul airport by U.S. Marines in August 2021 was a critical episode in the evacuation of U.S. personnel and Afghan civilians from Afghanistan. The operation was conducted under extremely challenging circumstances, with U.S. forces facing significant threats from insurgent groups such as the Taliban and ISIS-K.

The U.S. Marines played a pivotal role in securing Hamid Karzai International Airport, enabling the evacuation of thousands of people fleeing the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The airport served as a crucial exit point, with U.S. cargo planes flying over 100,000 people to safety. However, the defence of the airport was fraught with danger, and U.S. service members found themselves in harm's way.

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at the airport's Abbey Gate resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, including 11 Marines, and approximately 170 Afghans. The bombing was perpetrated by ISIS-K, an affiliate of the Islamic State group based in Syria and Iraq. This incident marked the worst casualty event for U.S. troops and Afghan civilians in Afghanistan in over a decade.

In the aftermath of the bombing, questions arose about the nature of the attack and the presence of gunfire. While the Pentagon asserted that all deaths and injuries were caused by the explosive device and ball bearings fired into the crowd, new evidence, including eyewitness accounts and GoPro footage captured by a Marine, suggests a more complex situation. This evidence indicates that there was significant gunfire exchanged during the attack, contradicting the Pentagon's claim that there were only three bursts of gunfire, all of which did not hit anyone.

The defence of Kabul airport by the U.S. Marines demonstrated their unwavering commitment to protecting U.S. interests and ensuring the safe evacuation of civilians. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the operation, the Marines' valour and dedication cannot be overstated. Their efforts allowed thousands of people to escape the Taliban regime and find refuge, embodying the Marine Corps' legacy of "having each other's back—and never backing down."

Marines fought the Taliban

The US Marines have been involved in the War in Afghanistan since the beginning, with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit being the first conventional troops to land in the country. Marines were involved in heavy fighting throughout the war, including the Battle of Shewan, where they defeated around 250-350 Taliban fighters.

Marines were also involved in the capture of Kandahar Airport, creating one of the first coalition command centers. In 2010, Marines were involved in the Battle of Marjah, which was considered the last Taliban stronghold in central Helmand. The battle was led by Mullah Abdul Rahim Gulab, a high-level Taliban commander. The US military considered the battle important as it was near the provincial capital.

The war in Afghanistan was the longest in US history, lasting 20 years. During this time, more than 350 Marines died in Helmand Province, with thousands more wounded. The war ended in 2021, with the Taliban retaking control of the country.

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