Thesis Statement: Although a relatively small force in the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Special Forces succeeded in its counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban by educating themselves; by disciplined application of force; and by collaborating with the Northern Alliance. Abstract: The United States military) caught completely unaware by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, needed to respond with action to appease the national will of the U.S. people. Although a relatively small force in the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom, U.S. Special Forces succeeded in its counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban by educating themselves on lessons learned; disciplined application of force; and collaborating with the Northern Alliance. Special Forces units participating in OEF understood the necessity of disciplined applications of force when combating the Taliban. Special Forces units succeeded in their counterinsurgency campaign by working with the Northern Alliance, not against them. Special Forces units learned from the mistakes made by U.S. forces in the Victoria Campaign incorporating cultural awareness, bringing the fight to the insurgents, and operating with Afghan military units to accomplish U.S. objectives in the beginnings of OEF.

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