Weapon of Choice

"Weapon of Choice" presents a history of the U.S. Army special operations forces in Afghanistan from 11 September 2001 to 15 May 2002, during America's global war on terrorism. The purpose of the book is not to resolve Army special operations doctrinal issues, to clarify or update military definitions, or to be the "definitive" history of the continuing unconventional war in Afghanistan. The purpose is to demonstrate how the war to drive the Taliban from power, help Afghan people, and assist the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) rebuild the country afterward was successfully accomplished by majors, captains, warrant officers, and sergeants on tactical teams and aircrews at the lowest levels.Contents:Prelude to TerrorAwakening the Giant"Subdue Without Fighting"Developing the SOF CampaignTop Draft ChoicesCommitted to Middle East ExercisesCivil Affairs to Islamabad, PakistanSite Coordination With the Uzbeks at Karshi KanabadUncorking the Bottled AirliftToppling the Taliban in Afghanistan, 19 October-7 December 2001Jumping Into the DarkShowing American Power"Look, We Have to Get the Special Forces Teams Into Afghanistan!"On Horseback With DostumA "Bump" and Missiles in the Abyss500 Afghans Can Die, But Not One American Can Be InjuredAl-Qaeda Uprising—Qala-i-JangiThe Karzai Way to KandaharThe Campaign in Transition, 8 December 2001-28 February 2002Old Glory Flies Again in KabulTaking Down al-Qaeda at the Mir Wais HospitalPolitics, War, and RapportEnd of Mission—Aerial Resupply in AfghanistanThe New WarEntering the ValleyD-Day ANACONDA From the Viewpoint of Force Multipliers"Good Morrrrning, Afghannnnistan"Driving the Taliban From PowerTransition and Combat Operations