I N T R E P X

Operation Jawbreaker was the codename for the covert CIA mission launched immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This operation was the United States’ initial response to the attacks and aimed to infiltrate Afghanistan, gather intelligence, and lay the groundwork for the broader military campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Here’s a detailed description:

Objective:

• The primary objective of Operation Jawbreaker was to establish a presence in Afghanistan, gather intelligence on al-Qaeda and Taliban operations, and prepare the battlefield for subsequent U.S. military actions.
• The mission aimed to coordinate with the Northern Alliance, an anti-Taliban coalition, to leverage their local knowledge and combat capabilities against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Key Components:

1. Infiltration and Establishing Alliances:

• A small team of CIA officers, known as Team Alpha, were the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan. They infiltrated the region in late September 2001.
• Team Alpha’s mission was to establish contacts with the Northern Alliance and coordinate with their leaders, including Ahmad Shah Massoud’s successor, to facilitate the broader U.S. military intervention.

1. Intelligence Gathering:

• The CIA operatives were tasked with gathering critical intelligence on Taliban and al-Qaeda locations, strength, and operations.
• This intelligence was crucial for planning subsequent military strikes and operations by U.S. Special Forces and other coalition partners.

1. Coordination and Targeting:

• The operatives worked closely with Northern Alliance fighters to identify targets for U.S. airstrikes.
• They provided real-time intelligence and targeting data to guide precision strikes against Taliban and al-Qaeda positions.

1. Logistical and Tactical Support:

• The CIA team facilitated the delivery of supplies, weapons, and funds to Northern Alliance forces.
• They coordinated with U.S. Special Forces, who followed soon after, to conduct joint operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.

Outcomes:

• Initial Success: Operation Jawbreaker played a pivotal role in the early successes of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan. The intelligence and coordination provided by the CIA operatives were instrumental in the rapid collapse of Taliban control over much of the country.
• Alliance with Northern Alliance: The operation solidified the U.S. partnership with the Northern Alliance, which became a key ally in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
• Foundation for Operation Enduring Freedom: The groundwork laid by Operation Jawbreaker set the stage for Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name for the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, which began in October 2001.

Significance:

• First Response: Operation Jawbreaker represented the first tangible U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks, marking the beginning of the U.S. war on terror.
• Integration of Intelligence and Military: The operation highlighted the effective integration of CIA intelligence capabilities with military operations, setting a precedent for future counterterrorism efforts.
• Covert Operations: It underscored the importance of covert operations and local alliances in achieving strategic military objectives in hostile environments.

Operation Jawbreaker remains a significant example of how intelligence operations can directly influence and facilitate military success in complex and rapidly evolving conflict scenarios.

Operation Jawbreaker Timeline

Pre-Operation Planning:

• September 11, 2001: Al-Qaeda conducts terrorist attacks on the United States, leading to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.
• September 12-15, 2001: CIA begins planning a response, focusing on Afghanistan where al-Qaeda and Taliban are based. The CIA’s Counterterrorist Center (CTC) initiates Operation Jawbreaker.
• September 19, 2001: CIA officers start preparations to deploy to Afghanistan.

Infiltration and Initial Operations:

• September 26, 2001: The first CIA team, known as Team Alpha, departs for Afghanistan. They are the first U.S. personnel to infiltrate the region post-9/11.
• September 27, 2001: Team Alpha arrives in the Panjshir Valley in northeastern Afghanistan. They establish contact with the Northern Alliance and begin coordination efforts.

Coordination with the Northern Alliance:

• Late September 2001: CIA operatives work with Northern Alliance leaders, including General Mohammed Fahim, Ahmad Shah Massoud’s successor, to gather intelligence and plan joint operations.
• Early October 2001: The CIA team provides vital intelligence on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets, helping to guide U.S. airstrikes.

Execution and Support:

• October 7, 2001: Operation Enduring Freedom begins with a series of airstrikes against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets. The CIA’s intelligence is instrumental in targeting these strikes.
• October 19, 2001: U.S. Special Forces, including teams from the 5th Special Forces Group, begin arriving in Afghanistan. They join CIA operatives and Northern Alliance forces.
• October-November 2001: Joint operations between the CIA, Special Forces, and the Northern Alliance lead to significant gains against the Taliban. Key cities, including Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, fall to anti-Taliban forces.

Key Battles and Outcomes:

• November 9, 2001: Mazar-i-Sharif falls to Northern Alliance forces, marking the first major victory in the campaign against the Taliban.
• November 13, 2001: Kabul is captured by Northern Alliance forces with support from U.S. airstrikes and ground operations.
• November-December 2001: The Taliban’s control continues to collapse, with remaining forces retreating to the south and east.

Conclusion of Initial Phase:

• December 6, 2001: Kandahar, the last major Taliban stronghold, falls. The Taliban regime is effectively overthrown.
• December 17, 2001: The Battle of Tora Bora ends with the escape of key al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, highlighting the need for continued operations.

Post-Operation and Legacy:

• Early 2002: Operation Jawbreaker transitions into broader counterterrorism efforts under Operation Enduring Freedom. The CIA continues to work alongside military forces to hunt down remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives.
• Ongoing: The lessons and tactics developed during Operation Jawbreaker inform subsequent U.S. counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations worldwide.

Operation Jawbreaker demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating intelligence operations with military action, establishing a successful model for future missions. The quick and decisive actions taken by the CIA and their coordination with the Northern Alliance laid the foundation for the initial success of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan.