U.S. Army Operations since 1983

[NcDeuce]

Urgent Fury

Just Cause/Acid Gambit

Desert Shield/Desert Storm

Restore Hope/Gothic Serpent

Restore Democracy

Bosnia

Enduring Freedom

Iraqi Freedom

We have obviously improved our Armed Forces since 1983. Which ones stick out in your mind, why? Which operations will be remembered 60 years from now?

It's been a busy time, what operations will be next? Any suggestions for names, lol?

[Fox2]

Desert Shield/Storm was the largest US military operation since Vietnam. That's 20 years in a sort of "hibernation." I think that counts for something.

Restore Hope/Gothic Serpent stick out in my mind. They showed that after Vietnam, our whole thinking had changed. We were afraid of losing people.

In the same way, 9-11/Enduring Freedom changed the way we think in the opposite way. We are now less afraid of casualties than we were before, but still wary. Some of us understand now, I think, that we all die, even good people. I think we also understand that people sometimes must make sacrifices to change the world and that sometimes that means sacrificing everything.

[Tane Angle]

I suppose, for better or for worse, Iraqi Freedom will be the most remembered. But there will be people like us sitting around, probably, just talking about operations of long ago, like our occassional Operation Kingpin chat. Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[crazyman]

the last 2 decades are just the start. only my opinion, but it looks to me as if we're heading into one of the most violent chapters of human history. western civilization vs. international terrorism

[OzMan]

Every one of those actions sticks out in my mind. Every deployment/mission had a different objective, and a different lesson was learned from all of them. I think that the intense rush of technology we all experienced in the last 20 to 30 years has scrambled the combinations of tomorrow's conflicts further than anyone could have anticipated. With the power vaccum following the collapse of the Soviet Union, along with the Black Market, terrorism, nuclear technology, and the Internet, the world we live in is not as secure as we all thought.

There are some places on this planet (Africa sticks out the most to me) where people are stuck in the old caveman mindset of "this is my land", or "my god is better than your god", and so on. Mix that mindset with the technology and weapons of today, and you get a group of people who do not fully understand the devestating potential of the weapons they possess (i.e. terrorists with nuclear weapons). I don't think people understand that there are people on this earth who will feel no sense of guilt or responsibility after they have killed every man, woman, and child that disagrees with them or stands in the way of their greed. The saying of "Hopefully cooler heads will prevail by then," may not apply. I think it's more like, "What do men in power want? More power."

And it is these kinds of people that we are talking about today, and will have to confront today, tomorrow, and the days afterwards. These are the men that must be stopped. People tell me, "Violence spreads more violence." Yes, that's true, but what do you do about the violent ones? The Saddam Husseins, or the Osama bin Ladens, or the Adolf Hitlers? What do you do about them? Do you simply allow them to continue because they don't effect you yet?

Is it our war? I don't think it has to be. I believe that it is a crime against the world for America with all its money and resources to let the world around us destroy itself while we sit selfishly and comfortably. The year is not 1940, we are not isolationist anymore. It is our obligation to the oppressed people of this world to aide them at the sound of their cry that drives us on to do what we do.

I also agree on the fact that we are entering one of the darkest ages of human history. With the end of the world just the twist of a key away, and the kinds of people who want that potential for their wars, you can bet your ass that things are gonna get shaken up a bit before its all sorted out.

Just my opinion, sorry for the rant...

[Maverick77]

If you think about it in 20 or 30 years there will be a bunch of "kids" (i guess you could call quite a few of us that) or guys sittin around talking about military conflicts that some of us are fighting in or did fight in.



kinda weird when you think about it for awile.

[ibstolidude]

Urgent Fury

Just Cause/Acid Gambit

Desert Shield/Desert Storm

Restore Hope/Gothic Serpent

Restore Democracy

Bosnia

Enduring Freedom

Iraqi Freedom

We have obviously improved our Armed Forces since 1983. Which ones stick out in your mind, why? Which operations will be remembered 60 years from now?

It's been a busy time, what operations will be next? Any suggestions for names, lol?

US military operations since 1983:

Iraqi Freedom
Enduring Freedom
Noble Eagle
Joint Guardian
Allied Force / Noble Anvil
Determined Force
Cobalt Flash
Shining Hope
Sustain Hope / Allied Harbour
Provide Refuge
Open Arms
Eagle Eye
Determined Falcon
Determined Effort
Joint Endeavor
Joint Guard
Joint Forge Bosnia-Herzegovina Jul 1995
DELIBERATE FORCE
Quick Lift
Nomad Vigil
Nomad Endeavor
Able Sentry
Deny Flight
Decisive Endeavor / Decisive Edge
Decisive Guard / Deliberate Guard
Deliberate Forge
Sky Monitor
Maritime Monitor
Maritime Guard
Sharp Guard
Decisive Enhancement
Determined Guard Adriatic Sea Provide Promise
DESERT STRIKE
DESERT THUNDER
DESERT FOX
Shining Presence Israel
Phoenix Scorpion IV
Phoenix Scorpion III
Phoenix Scorpion II
Phoenix Scorpion I
Desert Focus
Vigilant Warrior
Vigilant Sentinel
Intrinsic Action
Desert Spring
Iris Gold
Pacific Haven / Quick Transit
Provide Comfort
Provide Comfort II
Northern Watch
Southern Watch
Desert Falcon
New Horizons
Sierra Leone NEO
MONUC [UN PKO]
Resolute Response
Gatekeeper
Hold-the-Line
Safeguard Texas
Arizona
Golden Pheasant
Alliance
Provide Hope I
Provide Hope II
Provide Hope III
Provide Hope IV
Provide Hope V
Coronet Nighthawk
Coronet Oak Central
Selva Verde Colombia
Badge
Ghost Dancer Oregon
Greensweep
Grizzly California
Wipeout
Ghost Zone
Constant Vigil
Support Justice
Steady State
Green Clover
Laser Strike
Agate Path
Enhanced Ops
Silent Promise
Fundamental Response
Stabilize Timor
Avid Response
Strong Support [Fuerte Apoyo]
Infinite Reach
Shepherd Venture
Asmara, Eritrea NEO
Noble Response
Bevel Edge
Noble Obelisk
Guardian Retrieval Congo (formerly Zaire)
Silver Wake
Guardian Assistance
Assurance / Phoenix Tusk
Quick Response
Assured Response
Zorro II Mexico
Safe Border Peru / Ecuador
United Shield Somalia
Uphold/Restore Democracy
Quiet Resolve / Support Hope
Safe Haven / Safe Passage
Sea Signal / JTF-160
Distant Runner Rwanda NEO
Liberian NEO 22
Provide Relief
Restore Hope
Continue Hope
Provide Transition
Garden Plot
Silver Anvil Sierra Leone NEO 2
GTMO
Safe Harbor
Quick Lift Zaire
Victor Squared Haiti NEO
Fiery Vigil Philippines NEO
Productive Effort / Sea Angel Bangladesh
Eastern Exit
Desert Shield
Imminent Thunder
Proven Force
DESERT STORM
DESERT SWORD / DESERT SABRE
Desert Calm
Desert Farewell
Steel Box / Golden Python
Sharp Edge
Elf One
Arid Farmer
Early Call
Urgent Fury
Bright Star
Classic Resolve
Hawkeye
Nimrod Dancer
JUST CAUSE
Promote Liberty Panama
ERNEST WILL
PRAYING MANTIS
Blast Furnace
EL DORADO CANYON
Attain Document
Achille Lauro
Intense Look
new horizons
korea
shining express
full accounting
balikatan
smiles
balanced piston
Able Vigil




and easily another 40-50 from columbia and LATAM + countless others that cannot be named, were not named, , Lots iso of other ops.. or I just don't know their names.

JUst trying to help!!! -

[ibstolidude]

the last 2 decades are just the start. only my opinion, but it looks to me as if we're heading into one of the most violent chapters of human history. western civilization vs. international terrorism

Whaaaa???

heading into one of the most violent chapters of human history

Compare the total numbers from the GWOT (from 9/11 victims to the most current casualities from all sides of the conflicts) from all sides then tally that with the losses of Dresden during a single air campaign or the numbers lost in the European revolutions. The list can go on and on and on and on and on. Compare the today and the outlook to any number of years in history and you will see a very different world than what the media exhibits.

The times today are far less violent than most in the world's history. The post WW2 era has been then longerst period of sustained peace in Europe! (and also there most prosperious, and will likely continue with the ongoing success of the EU.)
The difference today is that if an attack in Isreal happens, 2 hours later the world can read about it. That is the one of the newest dimmensions to modern politacs and war.

Even with the sharp divides over IRaq and other current "hot" topics, the last decade has seen more world integration and cooperation that any other time in world history..
I feel we are onthe verge of something amazing, but in our time (as with all great turning points in history) we will experiece our share of troubles.

[crazyman]

its actually quite simple. what we've seen in the last 3 years is the start of something huge. the next few decades are going to be something to see. its no longer nation-states making war on each other...its political movements, hate groups, terrorists...people motivated by financial, political, and religious means. what this will lead to are situations similar to iraq, or if you go back a few decades...northern ireland, orr back some more? the french in algiers. thats actually a good example. do some research on the french in algiers (spelling) in the 1950s. they dealt with the most organized terrorist group to date in a singularly efficient manner. so, as i said, we are on the opening of some of the darkest days in our history. not just will armies be fighting and dying, but the citizens of any nation targeted by any group.

[ibstolidude]

its actually quite simple. what we've seen in the last 3 years is the start of something huge. the next few decades are going to be something to see. its no longer nation-states making war on each other...its political movements, hate groups, terrorists...people motivated by financial, political, and religious means. what this will lead to are situations similar to iraq, or if you go back a few decades...northern ireland, orr back some more? the french in algiers. thats actually a good example. do some research on the french in algiers (spelling) in the 1950s. they dealt with the most organized terrorist group to date in a singularly efficient manner. so, as i said, we are on the opening of some of the darkest days in our history. not just will armies be fighting and dying, but the citizens of any nation targeted by any group.

Do some research on the last 2000 years of world history...

Terrorism is not new. There is been a steady decrease in terrorism and UW overall. NI although tragic and has lead to great losses by our UK friends and brothers; it is no where on the scale of the deathscaused during the Mongolian invasions. The Frecnch in Algeria circi 54 - 62 although tragic has was paled in comparrision to the Spanish inquisition alone. Shal we reflect on the colonization of the US and LATAM? Shall we compare the 100 years war to current events?

Citizens of nations have been targeted through out all of history in EVERY conflict. The concept of non-combatants is realatively BRAND NEW. To say terrorists killed 5000 civilians in the last 4 years = darkest days of world history when in fact compared to the 100,000 and 100,000s of civilians killed during WW2 and WW1, it is tragic but not the DARKEST days of history...we can compare to every great war in Old Europe the middle east, Asia. Like the waring factions of the Prussian wars had a code of conduct to not attack civillians? The viking hordes were careful to rape and pillage but not attack civilians?

Terrorism and unconventional tactics are nothing new:
The ancient Greek historian Xenophon (c. 431–c. 350 BC) wrote of the effectiveness of psychological warfare against enemy populations.

Roman emperors such as Tiberius (reigned AD 14–37) and Caligula (reigned AD 37–41) used banishment, expropriation of property, and execution as means to discourage opposition to their rule.

The Spanish Inquisition used arbitrary arrest, torture, and execution to punish what it viewed as religious heresy. The use of terror was openly advocated by Robespierre as a means of encouraging revolutionary virtue during the French Revolution, leading to the period of his political dominance called the Reign of Terror (1793–94).

After the American Civil War (1861–65) defiant Southerners formed a terrorist organization called the Ku Klux Klan to intimidate supporters of Reconstruction.

Look to the to the anarchists of the 19th century in their isolation from the political mainstream and the unrealistic nature of their goals. Lacking a base of popular support, extremists substitute violent acts for legitimate political activities. Such acts include kidnappings, assassinations, skyjackings, bombings, and hijackings.

The small band of Russian revolutionaries of 'Narodnaya Volya' (the people's will) in 1878-81 - used the word 'terrorist' proudly

How about the group from whioch cam Princip..the spark that started ww1 with the assasignation of Ferdinand? In 1894 an Italian anarchist assassinated French President Sadi Carnot. In 1897 anarchists fatally stabbed Empress Elizabeth of Austria and killed Antonio Canovas, the Spanish prime minister. In 1900 Umberto I, the Italian king, fell in yet another anarchist attack; in 1901 an American anarchist killed William McKinley, president of the United States.

The French Revolution's "Reign of Terror" (1793-94), when Robespierre's Jacobins executed 12,000 people deemed enemies of the Revolution, often for flimsy reasons. - this is actually when most people believe the word terrorism entered the language.

Marco Polo told tales of the assassigns he encoutnered in Tehran. The method was to kill the target with high visibility. Killing them in broad daylight, in front of as many people as they could.

The Persian Mani (Manichæism) was calling on people to destroy the word in 270AD because he felt "the universe is in the grip of an uncontrollable darkness and evil which must be fought so that fragments of good or light might rise to heaven, and the world come to its merciful end." The Shah had him arrested and killed as he was recruiting and acting upon his belief.

As I stated the major differences between then and now are the WE (modern world) have developed a sense different set of right and wrong based upon newer broader ethics.... Quite frankly the reason the word terrorism didn exist in the pre 1500 time frame is becasue killing peasants is what you do with preasants. Assasignation was the means to the end, and considered actionable. In modern society we have notions of non-combatants, limited warfare, we isolate military operations in a much more precise manner.
Another major change is the world access to information. The world now knows more about curernt events and in faster times than ever possible. This gives the perception that more is happening today with regards to violence that ever before... that is far from fact.
It can be argues that terror atacks are more effective (not in killing the innocent) but in the ability spread the images and knowledge. During the French Revoluion information about an assasignation reached outer areas more slowly and there fore lessened the shock and impact.

Damn, I mean the Neoclassic ege was a direct result of the terror, fear, war, civil strife, anarchy, assignations attempts (the Gunpowder Plots of 1605 - murder of Henry 4 execution of Charles 1 and the 6+ years of bloody civil war) of the post renaissance period. Many blamed this on extremism and this created a cutlture of a return to less extremism.


If you feel that it is a new era due to US involvement in the GWOT, then perhaps you should PM Triggerpuller about past US involvement in operations against terrorism..
About that, I will choose to keep my mouth shut on that topic. Although tragic, the French in Algeria was nothing compared to the wars fought in France. I guess the real change is you are alive today making this era different from all those before.

[crazyman]

the difference, as i see it, is that now no one has any clue when and where things will happen. the reason i keep using that "darkest times' phrase is that there is absolutely no warning of what will come. At least in a declared war the average person has some kind of clue that things are turning sour. now? a car bomb could go off in a nation that isnt doing a thing in the "war against terrorism". I'm well aware of the fact that there have been bloodier times in our history (thats what i study), but this type of warfare is something rather unique. even though the concept of terrorism is ancient, as I see it modern times afford would-be terrorists an unparralleled chance to cause trouble. various technologies (internet, intercontinental travel, etc) give these criminals (as i would classify terrorists) far more opportunities to do damage. The next 40 or so years are going to be something very new in the human experience. all that being said, this is simply my opinion given what ive seen, read, etc. agree/disagree at your will. and despite my rather dark view of the future, i'm still going to be out there with the U.S. Army, kicking ass on terrorists everywhere