An F-14 Tomcat flies over Afghanistan in August 2002. Dozens of aircraft were involved in the initial US invasion of Afghanistan, while others took part in the ensuing 20-year war; the F-14 took part until its retirement in 2006. (US Navy/Capt. Dana Potts)

These US Aircraft Invaded Afghanistan in October 2001

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The outcome of the US invasion of Afghanistan was never in doubt—but operating a wide collection of US aircraft thousands of miles from home was no small feat.

On October 7, 2001—25 years ago today—US and British forces launched an invasion of Afghanistan, codenamed “Operation Enduring Freedom,” in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks the previous month. The operation’s initial objectives included destroying Al-Qaeda infrastructure, crippling Taliban air defenses and command facilities, supporting anti-Taliban forces, and ultimately denying Afghanistan as a sanctuary for Osama bin Laden. 

On paper, a victory was nearly assured; the United States was then at the height of its era as an unrivaled global superpower, while the Taliban was little more than a large militia group. But Afghanistan posed an unusual airpower problem for the coalition: it was landlocked and located enormous distances from major US bases. Nearby air infrastructure was........

© The National Interest