Horse Soldiers: Now the Fight Is Yours Today we honor the Horse Soldiers our Green Berets of Operational Detachment Alpha 595 who rode into northern Afghanistan just weeks after 9/11. Inserted behind enemy lines, they fought alongside Afghan partners, charging across rugged mountains on horseback to liberate key cities from Taliban control. It was one of the most daring missions in modern warfare, combining 19th-century tactics with 21st-century precision. Those early warriors showed what was possible when intelligence, partnership, and courage met purpose. They built trust with local tribes, toppled the Taliban’s strongholds, and struck deep into al-Qaeda’s network all with minimal manpower and maximum effect. But their story is more than a piece of GWOT history; it’s a warning about what happens when we forget why they rode in the first place. Because the threat they faced in 2001 did not vanish when the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan in 2021. It adapted, regrouped, and spread. Today, the threat from Afghanistan is no longer half a world away—it’s here. The second-generation sons of the same networks the Horse Soldiers once fought face-to-face have crossed our borders; they’re now in our hometowns. That’s why their lessons matter now more than ever—not just for soldiers, but for every first responder, law enforcement officer, emergency manager, and community leader here at home. The battlefield has shifted, but the principles remain unchanged: (1) The value of alliances and local partners. ODA 595 succeeded because they built trust not through force, but through shared purpose. Today, our safety depends on partnerships between the state, local police, emergency services, and the communities they serve. Information-sharing saves lives and it’s not happening fast enough. (2) Agility over size. The Horse Soldiers didn’t wait for perfect conditions; they were scrappy. In the homeland fight, actively attempt to spot pre-attack indicators early, prepare now for worst-case scenarios, and train small, agile quick-reaction forces. (3) Never letting “victory” mean absence of threat. The Taliban’s return to power is proof that complacency kills. Terror networks evolve—from safe havens in Kandahar to encrypted apps in U.S. cities. Quiet doesn’t mean safe. We must learn to measure security by preparedness, not by grand illusions of peace. (4) Continuous vigilance. Homeland security and defense is no longer confined to distant battlefields—this now falls to the local level. The federal government is barely meeting even the most basic responsibilities, like information sharing. Don’t expect them to come to your rescue. Every citizen, responder, and leader must step up and play a role today to prepare. No one is going to do the work for you! Now is the time to act. As we honor their heroism, we carry forward their mission: never let our guard down, act before the enemy strikes, and by all means defend the homeland.

We must stop funding terrorism!