In October 2001 the most militarily advanced nation on Earth came into conflict with one of the least developed nations as American forced poured into Afghanistan. The tip of the spear was drawn from the US special operations forces community, and largely from the units of the United State Army Special Forces - the famous Green Berets. Together with the Special Activities Division of the CIA and the Afghan Northern Alliance, they overthrew the Taliban in a lightning campaign that redefined modern warfare. This new study reveals the grueling Green Beret training and preparation, the specialized weapons and equipment they used in the field. It traces their deployment throughout the campaign, from the first insertion of forces through to the fall of Kabul and Kandahar, the Taliban uprising at the notorious For of War in Maza-e-Sharif, and the clearance of Tora Bora and Operation Anaconda in the Shahikot Valley.

Includes maps of: Afghanistan, SEP 2001; Major U.S. Special Forces Operations, OCT 2001-MAR 2002; Anaconda - the Plan, FEB-MAR 2002.

Introduction : History and tradition --Recruitment and selection : becoming a modern Green Beret; the Q course and Robin Sage -- Appearance : beards and baseball caps -- Equipment and weapons -- Belief and belonging -- On campaign : Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan -- Experience of battle -- Afetmath of battle : a missed opportunity and the birth of a modern legend.