Boeing AH-64D Apache Royal Netherlands Air Force "Operation Enduring Freedom" Q-05, RNLAF

On 11 September 2001, al-Qaeda carries out a terrorist attack on the United States. There are thousands of casualties. The organisation operated under Osama bin Laden's leadership from Afghanistan. The Taliban holds power there and refuses to extradite Osama bin Laden. The United States and its allies therefore decide to counter terrorism in that country.

The United States, together with Britain, launched Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001. This was an international operation against Taliban military installations and al-Qaeda training camps. In December 2001, the UN Security Council authorised the international peacekeeping force ISAF. NATO commands this peacekeeping mission from 2003, which ends in December 2014. A new NATO mission to further build up the Afghan police and army, Resolute Support, will follow from 2015. This mission ends 11 September 2021.

As an ally, the Netherlands has been involved from the beginning in several missions to make Afghanistan a safer country. Over 30,000 Dutch servicemen set foot on Afghan soil over the past 20 years. They managed to achieve a lot and gained a wealth of military experience.

At the same time, high sacrifices were made. There was hard work, and hard fighting. Many carry the scars of battle with them; they were physically or mentally wounded. 25 Dutch soldiers lost their lives.