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US and Allied Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, 2009–21
Series: Elite
Brief Description
An illustrated study of the development and operations of coalition and Afghan Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal in 2021. At the end of 2008, the clearly inadequate strength of the coalition’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan prompted the US...
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US and Allied Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, 2009–21
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See moreAn illustrated study of the development and operations of coalition and Afghan Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal in 2021.
An illustrated study of the development and operations of coalition and Afghan Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal in 2021.
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Description
An illustrated study of the development and operations of coalition and Afghan Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal in 2021.
At the end of 2008, the clearly inadequate strength of the coalition’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan prompted the US and NATO to deploy troops in numbers that could not be sustained long-term. This shortfall was overcome in 2009, when a newly created Special Forces command (ANASOC) in the Afghan National Army began to partner with the ISAF to undertake counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIL-K. However, while the burden of operations never diminished, many NATO countries reduced their contribution from 2012 onwards, leading to an over-ambitious expansion of ANASOC and weaker ties between it and US/NATO command.
In this engaging study, former United States Marine Corps officer John Parkinson draws on first-hand experience to examine how this series of events spiralled toward the eventual fall of Kabul and the troubled, hasty withdrawal of coalition forces in 2021. Eight newly commissioned colour plates demonstrate the wide range of equipment and uniforms used by the Special Operations Forces and are complemented by a range of previously unpublished photographs.
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Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781472864932
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 29 January 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Illustration: 8 colour artwork plates; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations.
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Johnny Shumate
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 10.0mm
Width: 184.0mm
Height: 246.0mm
Weight: 220g
Pages: 64
About the Author
Lt. Colonel John Parkinson is a former US Marine Corps infantry officer who served in Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan as a military advisor to the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command. His service spans 30 years and includes deployments to Iraq, Jordan, and Afghanistan.
Johnny Shumate produced the artwork plates for this volume.
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