After three decades of peace, SASR plunges into 25 years of continuous action. Its versatility is challenged in delicate operations in 1999 in East Timor and the controversial boarding of the refugee ship Tampa.

After 9/11 SASR joins the American-led Coalition invading Afghanistan in search of Osama Bin Laden, and aiming to defeat his terrorist support. In the shooting war in Afghanistan, SASR faces its toughest enemy ever in Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The effectiveness of small SASR teams is dramatically demonstrated in as assault on Bin Laden's forces in the formidable Shah-i-Kot valley. The regiment wins a coveted US Unit Citation for Operation Anaconda , a fierce 12-day attrition battle in which SASR patrols avert a certain defeat of the Coalition forces.