Designation of Afghanistan and the Airspace Above as a Combat Zone

2001-12-14Executive Order 13239
Signed by: George W. Bush
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Headline: Designates Afghanistan and its Airspace as Combat Zone for United States forces

What it does: The order designates Afghanistan and its airspace as a combat zone under section 112 of the Internal Revenue Code and sets September 19, 2001 as the start.

Real World Impact:
  • Counts service in Afghanistan as combat service for federal tax rules.
  • Establishes September 19, 2001 as the official start date for combat status.
  • Affects members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan.
Topics: military operations, federal taxes, national security, Afghanistan

Summary

This order declares Afghanistan and the airspace above it to be a combat zone, meaning United States Armed Forces are and have been engaged in combat there. It specifies September 19, 2001 as the date combat activities began in that zone.

The designation is made for purposes of section 112 of the Internal Revenue Code, so it applies to rules in that tax law. The order directly concerns members of the United States military serving in Afghanistan.

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