Introduction
On September 11, 2001, nineteen al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airliners to execute coordinated suicide attacks against the United States, killing nearly 3,000 people and causing enormous destruction. Two planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a fourth crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after the passengers revolted and prevented an attack on the U.S. Capitol or White House. These events shocked the nation and the world.
Soon after 9/11, the nation called on ARSOF to spearhead what President George W. Bush termed the Global War on Terror. In Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, ARSOF soldiers and their international partners took the fight to Al Qaeda and its Taliban allies. ARSOF would remain decisively engaged in operations in the Middle East, the Philippines, Africa, and Latin America in the years that followed.
Over the next two decades, USASOC expanded to meet increased operational demands. It added the 1st Special Forces Command, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations), 8th Psychological Operations Group, and additional battalions activated under existing units. The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School also adapted training to meet the continuously evolving requirements of the post-9/11 battlefield.
This webpage commemorates the 25th anniversary of this momentous national event and honors the service, valor, and sacrifice of ARSOF in the ensuing twenty years.
Sine Pari!
Addressing a Nation
“These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
— President George W. Bush
USASOC Ceremony Guest Speaker
“2,977 people were lost between NYC, PA and the Pentagon. Over 1,100 remains are still unidentified.”
Mrs. Krista Simpson-Anderson, speaking at USASOC’s 9/11 ceremony. (U.S. Army photo)
ARSOF after 9/11
Images from the last 20 years
