THE HORSE SOLDIERS
In the wake of September 11, the elite men of ODA 595 were the first American boots on the ground. Tasked with an impossible mission, these 12 Green Berets navigated the rugged Afghan mountains on horseback, forging a legendary path to liberation that would become the 12 Strong story.
In the immediate wake of 9/11, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595 entered the northern mountains of Afghanistan. This 12-man Special Forces team, tasked with an impossible mission, was forced to adapt to the rugged terrain by riding horses alongside their Northern Alliance allies—the first American soldiers to do so since World War II. Their objective was clear: unite the regional forces and prepare for the liberation of Mazar-i-Sharif.
UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE
12 MEN
A SINGLE DETACHMENT
In the wake of 9/11, ODA 595 and their Northern Alliance allies launched a daring offensive through the treacherous peaks of the Hindu Kush. Forging ahead on horseback to bypass modern defenses, they blindsided enemy forces. The fall of Mazar-i-Sharif on November 10, 2001, shattered the Taliban front and secured the first major victory of the liberation campaign.
THE RIDE TO VICTORY
5TH SFG
SPECIAL FORCES GROUP
VICTORY
MAZAR-I-SHARIF
2009 BOOK by Doug Stanton | 2018 FILM 12 Strong
THE 12 STRONG CONNECTION
The incredible story of ODA 595 first reached a global audience through Doug Stanton’s best-selling 2009 book, Horse Soldiers. This gripping account detailed the brotherhood and survival of the twelve Special Forces soldiers who successfully navigated the impossible terrain on horseback. In 2018, their legacy was further immortalized in the major motion picture 12 Strong, bringing the tactical brilliance and unconventional courage of these heroes to the silver screen.
HONOR THE LEGACY
The courage of the Horse Soldiers remains a profound testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Explore the monuments and stories that preserve the history of ODA 595 and their mission to bring freedom to the mountains of Afghanistan.