12/14/2023 0 Comments Master military fall parachutist badgeOperation Anaconda was one of the largest military operations ever conducted in the Shai-Khowt valley, long a Taliban and Al-Quaida stronghold. He deployed the JIATF to Bagram, Afghanistan as the Commander of Task Force Bowie on Novemand served as the Assistant Division Commander for the 10th Mountain Division during Operation ANACONDA. The JIATF coordinated these agencies in support of operations in the CENTCOM AOR. This specially formed task force combined the efforts of international and national agencies including the following: Secret Service (SS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and NYPD-Interagency Task Force. In October 2001, MG Harrell formed the USCENTCOM Joint Inter-Agency Task Force (JIATF). His actions provided safety for the surviving crewmembers and investigators who arrived to conduct the post explosion investigation. In response to the attack on the USS COLE, he deployed to Aden, Yemen where he was responsible for all CENTCOM Security Operations and support to the United States Ambassador to Yemen in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack. The JSD was responsible to insure that US soldiers and civilians were safe from attack. These responsibilities included the following mission requirements: personal security detail that guarded the CENTCOM Commander, security forces guarding our US Embassies, the security for every American base or outpost, security for every American ship that made a port call in the AOR (Area Of Responsibility), inspection and updates for every security plan in the AOR. As the JSD, he was responsible for all US Security operations within the 26 country CENTCOM area of operations, one of the most dangerous operational areas in the world. In July 2000, he assumed duties as Director, Joint Security Directorate (JSD), U.S. MG Harrell commanded 1st SFOD-D from July 1998 to July 2000 and participated in numerous combat operations with SFOD-D. He was assigned as the Deputy Commander, SFOD-D, in June 1995. On 9 October 1993 he was severely wounded by enemy mortar fire and evacuated to the US where he began a long recovery process. In Somalia, he was the Ground Force Commander for combat operations that a portion of which were later depicted in the book and subsequent movie known as Blackhawk Down. His next combat deployment was to Somalia for operations in support of UNOSOM II. This operation later culminated in Escobar’s death at the hand of Columbian authorities. In April 1992, he assumed command of C Squadron, 1st SFOD-D and deployed to Columbia, where he led forces in operations against Drug Lord Pablo Escobar, in support to the Government of Columbia. He participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In March 1991, MG Harrell was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command as the Army Special Operations Action Officer. MG Harrell was the only officer to actually enter the Modello Prison during the rescue operation. His troop performed the first successful Hostage Rescue by snatching a US Citizen, Kurt Muse, who had been held captive in Modelo Prison by Noreiga’s forces just prior to the commencement of the main US invasion of Panama. While in the unit he participated in Operation JUST CAUSE. In December 1985 MG Harrell was assigned to 1st SFOD-D, (Delta Force) Ft. In April 1984, he was assigned as the Operations Officer, 2nd Bn., 10th Special Forces Group (Abn.), Ft. Div., and deployed to Grenada for Operation URGENT FURY. MG Harrell was assigned as the G3 Air, 82nd Abn. in February 1981, and deployed as a member of the first multinational force to the Sinai Peninsula in the Spring of 1981. MG Harrell was again assigned to the 82nd Abn. He served as Commander of an SFOD-A, SCUBA Team, and Commander of the first CINC, INEXTREMIS Assault Team. In January 1977, after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, he was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. His initial assignment was to the 2nd Bn., 508th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Anti-Tank (TOW) platoon leader. MG Harrell’s distinguished career began when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 7 December 1973 upon graduation from East Tennessee State University. Major General Harrell officially retired as the Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Special Operations Command on 1 July 2008. MG Gary Harrell’s contributions, selflessness, and integrity to the foundation and the people we support it was a unanimous vote that we acknowledge him by making him an Executive Board Member “Emeritus”.
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