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Infinite Resolve

After the 20 August 1998 Infinite Reach cruise missiles strikes at terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, the Pentagon prepared a plan, code-named Operation Infinite Resolve, for follow-up strikes. But senior DOD officials soon determined that the targets were not sufficiently promising to warrant executing the plan. In December 1998 General Shelton ordered planning for the use of Special Operations Forces to capture UBL network leaders and transport them away from Kandahar. A second order issued on the following day examined the possible interception of aircraft. Plans refined throughout 1999 added successive options within the Infinite Resolve plan, including the possible use of strike aircraft, as well as Special Operations Forces. The targets included not only terrorist training camps, but also many other targets associated with Bin Laden and the known infrastructure of his organization. Tomahawk cruise missiles had to be launched after the vessels carrying them moved into position. Once these vessels were in position, there was still an interval as decision makers authorized the strike, the missiles were prepared for firing, and they flew to their targets. Officials worried that Bin Laden might move during these hours from the place of his last sighting, even if that information had been current.