Section 1.24 Iraq and AFGHANISTAN Flashcards
What operation signaled the start of the War in Afghanistan?
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). (It began on 7 October 2001 and is not the US’ longest-running war.)
During Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Airmen played a key role in the attempt to drive out the ____.
Taliban. (Airmen also established forward assault landing strips, directed close air support strikes and recovered downed and wounded personnel.)
Which TSgt received the Silver Star for his actions after his patrol was ambushed in Afghanistan?
TSgt Kevin Whalen. (He returned enemy fire to allow his team to seek cover, then called in close air support despite being wounded. He insisted that all other wounded be evacuated first so he could maintain control of close air support.)
What event on 25 June 1996 drove the Air Force to emphasize combat preparation as part of BMT?
The Khobar Towers bombing. (A deployment phase called the BEAST was added to BMT to simulate the deployed environment.)
In addition to tackling the BEAST and massive obstacle courses, which additional BMT concepts help prepare Airmen for combat?
Defending and protecting their base or operations, directing search and recovery operations, basic self-aid and buddy care, and leadership training. (Airmen are more prepared in 2012 for deployment, as a result of lessons learned from Khobar Towers.)
On 11 March 2004 in Afghanistan, SMSgt Ramon Colon-Lopez overran enemy positions and suppressed enemy fire after his team’s helicopter took sustained small-arms fire and was seriously damaged as it landed. He and his team succeeded in driving the enemy away. Which medal did Colon-Lopez receive for his actions?
The Combat Action Medal. (Colon-Lopez was one of the first six recipients of the medal and also received the Bronze Star with Valor.)
Due to budget constraints, the Air Force reduced the active duty force in 2007 to ____ percent of its size at the end of the Gulf War in 1991.
64 percent. (In 2008, the number of active duty personnel shrank from 360,000 to 330,000.)
Name one of the three combat controllers who distinguished themselves during a January 2007 battle against about 800 heavily-entrenched Iraqi insurgents.
Any one of the following: TSgt Bryan Patton; SSgt David Orvosh; or SSgt Ryan Wallace.
Which command did the Air Force establish in October 2008 to focus on nuclear assets?
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
What caused the Air Force to establish Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)?
Two incidents involving mishandling of nuclear weapons. (Due to the incidents and the Air Force’s declining nuclear focus and performance, both SECAF Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff, US Air Force (CSAF) General T. Michael Moseley resigned.)
When did the US complete its withdrawal of military troops from Iraq?
18 December 2011. (This fulfilled the 2008 bilateral agreement signed, by President Bush, that mandated troop withdrawal from Iraqi territory by the end of 2011.)
What was the stated goal of the US invasion of Afghanistan on 7 October 2001?
Dismantling the al Qaeda terrorist organization and ending its use of Afghanistan as a base.
Which is the US’ longest-running war?
The War in Afghanistan.
On 21 May 2012, leaders of the NATO-member countries approved President Obama’s exit strategy for Afghanistan. What does this exit strategy call for?
An end to combat operations in Afghanistan in 2013 and withdrawal of the US-led international military force by the end of 2014.
Since the start of wartime operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, how many Civil Engineering Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Airmen have died while protecting US and coalition forces, as well as civilians, form IEDs?
- (In addition to those killed in action, 140 EOD Airmen were seriously wounded during combat operations.)
