In 1978, war broke out in Afghanistan between the Soviet-backed Revolutionary Council and the oppressed Islamic majority.

The Soviets had superior weaponry but were not prepared for the mountains and caves of Afghanistan's landscape. Unconventional warfare and US-supplied weapons such as the anti-aircraft Stinger missile (part of "Operation Cyclone") helped a mostly unorganized group of fighters repel helicopters and block delivery routes.

The Soviets withdrew in 1989, without a decisive victory and suffering more than 14,000 casualties.