Acosta, Arturo, MSgt

Security Forces

TWS Ribbon Bar

Service Photo

Service Details

Current Service Status
USAFR Retired

Current/Last Rank
Master Sergeant

Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
3P0X1-Security Forces

Current/Last AFSC Group
Security Forces

Primary Unit
1994-2012, 49th Security Forces Squadron

Previously Held AFSC/MOS
81130-Apprentice Security Specialist
81150-Security Specialist

Service Years
1980 - 2012

Official Badges

Unofficial Badges

Military Associations and Other Affiliations


	1997, Air Force Security Forces Association
	2003, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), AFSA 1056 (Life Member) (Dyess AFB, Texas) - Chap. Page
	2008, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 7686, Tularosa and Alamogordo Post (Life Member) (Alamogordo, New Mexico) - Chap. Page
	2008, Air Force Together We Served
	2014, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 165 (Life Member) (El Paso, Texas) - Chap. Page
	2016, Air Force Memorial (AFM) - Assoc. Page

Remembrance Profiles - 2 Airmen Remembered

Crouse, Sean, SSgt, (1986-1997)

Martinez, Richard, TSgt, (1978-1993)

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/OEF - Afghanistan

From Month/Year
September / 2001

To Month/Year
December / 2014

Description

Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A)
The Taliban
Seizing upon a power vacuum after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan after their invasion, the Taliban assumed the role of government from 1996–2001. Their extreme interpretation of Islamic law prompted them to ban music, television, sports, and dancing, and enforce harsh judicial penalties (See Human rights in Afghanistan). Amputation was an accepted form of punishment for stealing, and public executions could often be seen at the Kabul football stadium. Women's rights groups around the world were frequently critical as the Taliban banned women from appearing in public or holding many jobs outside the home. They drew further criticism when they destroyed the Buddhas of Bamyan, historical statues nearly 1500 years old, because the Buddhas were considered idols.

In 1996, Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden moved to Afghanistan upon the invitation of the Northern Alliance leader Abdur Rabb ur Rasool Sayyaf. When the Taliban came to power, bin Laden was able to forge an alliance between the Taliban and his al-Qaeda organization. It is understood that al-Qaeda-trained fighters known as the 055 Brigade were integrated with the Taliban army between 1997 and 2001. It has been suggested that the Taliban and bin Laden had very close connections.

U.S.-led coalition action
Main article: War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
On 20 September 2001, the U.S. stated that Osama bin Laden was behind the 11 September attacks in 2001. The U.S. made a five point ultimatum to the Taliban:.

Deliver to the U.S. all of the leaders of al-Qaeda
Release all imprisoned foreign nationals
Close immediately every terrorist training camp
Hand over every terrorist and their supporters to appropriate authorities
Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps for inspection
On 21 September 2001, the Taliban rejected this ultimatum, stating there was no evidence in their possession linking bin Laden to the 11 September attacks.

On 22 September 2001 the United Arab Emirates and later Saudi Arabia withdrew their recognition of the Taliban as the legal government of Afghanistan, leaving neighboring Pakistan as the only remaining country with diplomatic ties.

On 4 October 2001, it is believed that the Taliban covertly offered to turn bin Laden over to Pakistan for trial in an international tribunal that operated according to Islamic shar'ia law. On 7 October 2001, the Taliban proposed to try bin Laden in Afghanistan in an Islamic court. This proposition was immediately rejected by the U.S. Shortly afterward, the same day, United States and British forces initiated military action against the Taliban, bombing Taliban forces and al-Qaeda terrorist training camps.

On 14 October 2001, the Taliban proposed to hand bin Laden over to a third country for trial, but only if they were given evidence of bin Laden's involvement in the events of 11 September 2001. The U.S. rejected this proposal and ensued with military operations.

The UN Security Council, on 16 January 2002, unanimously established an arms embargo and the freezing of identifiable assets belonging to bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the remaining Taliban.

My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year September / 2001	To Month/Year December / 2001

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020

Personal Memories

My Photos From This Battle or Operation

No Available Photos

3308 Also There at This Battle:

More...

Abbott, Chenoa, TSgt, (1998-2008)

Abel, James, SSgt, (2003-2008)

Abel, Kurt, SSgt, (2000-2010)

Abel, Seth, TSgt, (1995-2008)

Abell, David, MSgt, (1992-2008)

Ablay, TJ, Capt, (2002-Present)

Abner, Horace, TSgt, (1997-2008)

Abraham, Mark, SSgt, (1996-2008)

Abramson, Erin, SrA, (2001-2008)

Achonye, Olisakwe, SSgt, (2008-2013)

Addison, Joseph, SSgt, (1998-Present)

Adkins, David, MSgt, (1981-2008)

Adkins, Rocky, MSgt, (1973-2003)

Adler, Scott, MSgt, (1989-2008)

Adorno, Kevin, SMSgt, (1997-2023)

Ainsworth, Dean, MSgt, (1990-2011)

Airheart, Rita, SrA, (2004-2008)

Akers, James, SSgt, (2003-2010)

[Name Withheld], (1980-2002)

Alberson, Michael, TSgt, (1999-2010)

Alberts, Patrick, TSgt, (1992-2008)

Alcala, Victor, MSgt, (1988-2008)

Aldridge, Rick, SMSgt, (1977-2003)

Alexander, James, MSgt, (1982-2006)

Alexander, Kevin, SrA, (2004-2008)

Alexander, Richard, MSgt, (1991-2006)

Alexander, Terra, SrA, (2004-2008)

Allan, Chad, SSgt, (1996-2003)

Allen, Donald, TSgt, (1998-2008)

Allen, Jason, MSgt, (1992-2012)

Allen, Marc, SMSgt, (1993-Present)

Allen, Nicholas, SSgt, (2000-2008)

Allen, Todd, SSgt, (1996-2005)

Allen, Travis, A1C, (2004-2008)

Allison, Michael, MSgt, (2005-Present)

Allred, Joseph, SSgt, (2002-2008)

Allstott, Joe, SrA, (2004-2008)

Allton, Brock, SSgt, (2001-2008)

Almberg, Matthew, TSgt, (1994-2008)

Alo, Daniel, TSgt, (1997-2008)

Alonso-Valentin, Wilmer, SSgt, (2001-2008)

Alonzo, Alvin, SrA, (2004-2008)

Alston, Antonio, SMSgt, (1983-2008)

Altham, Christopher, MSgt, (1993-2008)

Altizer, Paul, TSgt, (1994-2008)

Alves, James, TSgt, (1994-2008)

Amador, Louie, SSgt, (2002-2008)

Amador, William, MSgt, (1992-2012)

Amante, Rhea, A1C, (2002-2008)

Ammons, David, SSgt, (2001-2008)

Amore, Jessica, SSgt, (2003-2008)

Amos, Cary, TSgt, (1998-2008)

Anabwani, Christina, TSgt, (1997-2008)

Anaya, Justin, SrA, (2005-2010)

Anderson, Adama, SSgt, (2003-2011)

Anderson, Chris, SSgt, (2001-2008)

Anderson, David, MSgt, (1998-2012)

Anderson, Dawn, Capt, (2001-2008)

Anderson, George, MSgt, (1989-2013)

Anderson, Jacob, SSgt, (2003-2008)

Anderson, Louis, TSgt, (1997-2015)

Anderson, Sherry, MSgt, (1983-2007)

Andrade, Angelina, SSgt, (2003-2008)

Andreasen, Joe, TSgt, (1992-2008)

Andrews, Derek, TSgt, (1992-2008)

Andrews, Evander Earl, MSgt, (1985-2001)

Andrews, Tabatha, TSgt, (1993-2008)

Angelini, Tom, SrA, (2004-2008)

Annas, Robert, MSgt, (1987-2008)

Anton, Liz, SSgt, (1996-2002)

Apisa, Jeremy, SrA, (2005-2008)

Appel, David, SSgt, (1995-2008)

Applebee, Malissa, A1C, (2007-2008)

Arce, Sean, SSgt, (2000-2008)

Arciles, Kenny, SSgt, (2003-2008)

Arcuri, William, TSgt, (1995-2008)

Ard, James, MSgt, (1984-2005)

Arensmeyer, Carla, MSgt, (1987-Present)

Aring, Richard, SrA, (2003-Present)

Armstrong, Ian, SSgt, (2002-2008)

Armstrong, Jeremy, SSgt, (2003-Present)

Armstrong, Kirby, MSgt, (1986-Present)

Armstrong, Yakima, SSgt, (1997-Present)

Arnett, Brittany, SSgt, (2000-2008)

Arnold, Anthony, TSgt, (1986-2008)

Arnold, Michael, SSgt, (1999-2008)

Arnold, Thomas, TSgt, (1996-Present)

Arthur, Jennifer, SSgt, (2002-2008)

Artis, Billy, MSgt, (1999-2023)

Artman, Ryan, SrA, (2006-2008)

Asbury, James, MSgt, (1990-Present)

Ashba, Jason, SrA, (2001-2005)

Ashe, Julee, A1C, (2001-2004)

Ashton, Bill, SSgt, (1984-2008)

Ashton, Chad, TSgt, (1997-2008)

Askew, Allen, MSgt, (1997-Present)

Askew, Tremain, SrA, (2004-Present)

Atchison, Marcus, SSgt, (2002-2008)

Atkins, Daniel, TSgt, (1996-Present)

Atkins, Sarah, SSgt, (2001-2008)