2001 War in Afghanistan

M-206 infrared decoy flare in the 2001 War in Afghanistan

U.S. aircraft used and replenished M-206-family infrared countermeasure flares during Operation Enduring Freedom, where they served as aircraft self-protection rounds against heat-seeking missile threats.

Weapon profileM-206 infrared decoy flare
SideUnited States, NATO, and Afghan government forcesRoleForce Protection
M-206 infrared decoy flare, Infrared decoy flare, Munitions - 2001 War in Afghanistan
Image source: Infrared Flares | Armtec Defense Technologies

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
M206, M211, and M212 countermeasure flare demand was tied to OEF/OIF theater support and accelerated CMWS helicopter fielding.

Sources: Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team

The Air Force requested FY2008 GWOT funds to replenish M206 war reserve materiel expended in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sources: FY2008 Air Force GWOT M206 Flares

The M-206 role was infrared aircraft self-protection through standard U.S. and NATO dispenser systems.

Sources: M206 Infrared Decoy Flare | Armtec Defense Technologies, FY2016 Air Force Flares Budget

Available public sources do not identify a specific Afghan province, sortie, aircraft tail number, or individual M206 expenditure.

Sources: Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team, FY2008 Air Force GWOT M206 Flares

Timeline

M-206 infrared decoy flare In 2001 War in Afghanistan

  1. Operation Enduring Freedom begins

    U.S.-led air operations begin in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks.

    Sources: CFR U.S. 2001 War in Afghanistan Timeline

  2. Army flare demand rises with CMWS fielding

    Army AL&T reported that monthly requirements for M206, M211, and M212 countermeasure flares rose sharply as CMWS was fielded across helicopters and theater stocks had to support OEF/OIF aircraft.

    Sources: Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team

  3. Air Force requests M206 replenishment for OEF and OIF

    The FY2008 Air Force GWOT budget justification listed M206 flare funding to replenish war reserve materiel expended in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Sources: FY2008 Air Force GWOT M206 Flares

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

U.S. Army acquisition reporting tied the M206, M211, and M212 countermeasure flare family to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Army AL&T described a 2005 jump in monthly requirements from 9,000 to 54,000 flares, driven by accelerated fielding of the Common Missile Warning System on helicopters and the need to support those munitions in theater.

The Air Force FY2008 Global War on Terror budget justification separately listed an M206 flare line item and described the money as replenishing war reserve materiel expended in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In the catalog conflict model, Operation Enduring Freedom is represented by the 2001 War in Afghanistan.

Sources: Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team, FY2008 Air Force GWOT M206 Flares

Timeline

Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001. Public M206-specific sources do not identify a first release date, aircraft tail number, or Afghan province for a particular flare expenditure, but they do document OEF-linked consumption and replenishment by the mid-2000s.

In 2005, the Army increased monthly M206/M211/M212 flare requirements as CMWS fielding accelerated across helicopter units. The FY2008 Air Force budget then carried an M206 replenishment line for war reserve materiel expended in OIF and OEF.

Sources: CFR U.S. 2001 War in Afghanistan Timeline, Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team, FY2008 Air Force GWOT M206 Flares

Narrative

The M-206 appears in Afghanistan as an expendable aircraft countermeasure, not as a strike munition. Armtec describes the round as a one-inch infrared decoy flare for standard U.S. and NATO dispenser systems, while Air Force budget material identifies it as an infrared countermeasure flare for aircraft such as the A-10, AC-130, C-17, and F-16.

The Afghanistan role was aircraft self-protection. Army AL&T described CMWS as firing M206, M211, and M212 flares in response to missile threats, and the same article tied the demand spike to OEF/OIF theater support. The public record supports a U.S.-led coalition force-protection role, but it does not isolate M206 use to named Afghan engagements or distinguish each expenditure from related M211 and M212 flare use.

Sources: M206 Infrared Decoy Flare | Armtec Defense Technologies, FY2016 Air Force Flares Budget, Army AL&T Countermeasure Flares Team

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Sources