AFGHANISTAN COMBAT VETERAN shoulder patch.

Very good quality embroidery, suitable for sewing or pressing.

Thank you for your service! Being a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom is a significant and honorable experience.

A combat veteran in Afghanistan who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is a person who participated in the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, which began on October 7, 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks. The operation was aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power.

Here are some key elements that define a combat veteran in Afghanistan:

• Deployment: Veterans were deployed to Afghanistan, often multiple times, during the conflict that lasted from 2001 to 2021.
• Combat experience: They have participated in combat operations, which may include exchanges of fire, patrols and other military operations against enemy forces.
• Service branches: Veterans come from a variety of military branches, including the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy.
• Challenges: Veterans have faced numerous challenges, such as difficult terrain, extreme weather conditions and the complexity of the war against the rebellion.
• Mental and physical impact: Many veterans struggle with the long-term effects of their service, including physical injuries and mental disorders such as PTSD.
• Reflections on service: Veterans often reflect on their service with pride and critical appraisal, considering the results and impact of the war.

OEF veterans have often faced a variety of challenges and threats, including:

• Combat situations: Engaging in direct combat with enemy forces.
• Environmental hazards: Exposure to sand, dust and other particulates that can cause respiratory problems.
• Chemical hazards: Potential exposure to toxic substances, such as those from furnaces used for waste disposal.
• Infectious diseases: The risk of contracting diseases endemic to the region.

These experiences shape their identity as war veterans and influence their perspective on military service and the conflict in Afghanistan.