NEWS
General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum to Open Task Force Dagger Special Exhibit
For Immediate Release: September 21, 2020
(HOBART, Okla.) – The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum will display its special exhibit, “Task Force Dagger,” featuring the Horse Soldiers of Afghanistan now through Nov. 30. This exhibit tells the story of the Joint Special Operations Task Force North, otherwise known as Task Force Dagger, and Oct. 19 commemorates the time in which they were inserted into Afghanistan.
After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush asked General Tommy Franks to lead America’s response to the attack. The Task Force Dagger was one of the first Joint Special Operations Task Forces to begin operations along with the CIA’s Jawbreaker team. This Force was critical in achieving victory in northern Afghanistan in the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom. This exhibit highlights these group members and their respective missions.
“General Franks faced many difficult challenges as the planning developed to defeat al-Qa’ida and the Taliban,” said D’Lese Travis, executive director of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum. “This special exhibit tells unknown details about the operation and offers insight into the unique components required for combat operations during the initial phases of Operation Enduring Freedom.”
The exhibit includes nine story boards detailing the operation’s plan, timeline and results. Artifacts consist of Afghanistan maps with unit locations and timelines, photos and authentic tack from Afghanistan including saddle blankets, crops and a saddle bag. Additional special pieces are from the personal collection of General Tommy Franks including his camouflage uniform and a 105mm shell casing from an AC-130 Gunship and a donated art piece painted by the late Nancy Benham-Johnston.
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum was created as a historical foundation dedicated to telling the story of the United States military and education. Its mission is to advance the development of this world class leadership training institution and museum. For more information, visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.
Note to media: Photos available to download here.
For Immediate Release: September 21, 2020
(HOBART, Okla.) – The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum will display its special exhibit, “Task Force Dagger,” featuring the Horse Soldiers of Afghanistan now through Nov. 30. This exhibit tells the story of the Joint Special Operations Task Force North, otherwise known as Task Force Dagger, and Oct. 19 commemorates the time in which they were inserted into Afghanistan.
After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush asked General Tommy Franks to lead America’s response to the attack. The Task Force Dagger was one of the first Joint Special Operations Task Forces to begin operations along with the CIA’s Jawbreaker team. This Force was critical in achieving victory in northern Afghanistan in the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom. This exhibit highlights these group members and their respective missions.
“General Franks faced many difficult challenges as the planning developed to defeat al-Qa’ida and the Taliban,” said D’Lese Travis, executive director of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum. “This special exhibit tells unknown details about the operation and offers insight into the unique components required for combat operations during the initial phases of Operation Enduring Freedom.”
The exhibit includes nine story boards detailing the operation’s plan, timeline and results. Artifacts consist of Afghanistan maps with unit locations and timelines, photos and authentic tack from Afghanistan including saddle blankets, crops and a saddle bag. Additional special pieces are from the personal collection of General Tommy Franks including his camouflage uniform and a 105mm shell casing from an AC-130 Gunship and a donated art piece painted by the late Nancy Benham-Johnston.
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum was created as a historical foundation dedicated to telling the story of the United States military and education. Its mission is to advance the development of this world class leadership training institution and museum. For more information, visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.
Note to media: Photos available to download here.