The following are events related to the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) that took place on this day.

2004

• The 22d MEU deployed as part of the USS Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 from Norfolk, Virginia, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf region. It was the first ESG from the East Coast to be deployed and included 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (reinforced) as well as the command section and MEU Service Support Group 22.

2006

• Eight Marines and two airmen were killed when two CH-53E helicopters crashed during a training flight in the Gulf of Aden, near the coastal town of Ras Siyyan in Djibouti. The aircraft and the Marines involved in the crash were from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464. Two Marines survived the crash, including the pilot of one of the helicopters.
• End of Operation PitBull in Iraq

2007

• LCpl Robert Pennington was sentenced to 14 years in the brig after pleading guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy in the shooting death of a Iraqi man in the village of Hamandiya on 26 April 2006 but due to his plea agreement, he would only have to serve eight years and received credit for time already served while awaiting trial.

2008

• Kandahar bombing kills 100 people, the deadliest suicide bombing of the war

Casualties on February 17:

• HERNANDEZ, FRANK BUSTAMANTE – February 17, 2005
• DRONET, BRANDON RYAN – February 17, 2006
• FORDYCE, JAMES FLOYD – February 17, 2006
• GOOD, ALECIA SABRINA – February 17, 2006
• LARGE, SAMUEL WAYNE JR – February 17, 2006
• LEVENS, DONNIE LEO FORD – February 17, 2006
• MARCELLUS, MATTHIEU – February 17, 2006
• MCCOLLEY, JONATHAN ERIC – February 17, 2006
• MELENDEZ-SANCHEZ, LUIS MANUEL – February 17, 2006
• SOVIE, NICHOLAS JOSEPH – February 17, 2006
• WILLARD, BRYAN DOUGLAS – February 17, 2006
• EDWARDS, AMOS COLLINS JR – February 17, 2006
• GARCIA, ANTHONY RICARDO – February 17, 2006
• BOONE, CHRISTOPHER KERMIN – February 17, 2007
• ESCALANTE, BRIAN ANWAR – February 17, 2007
• MARSH, CHAD EUGENE – February 17, 2007
• PATON, JUSTIN TRAVIS – February 17, 2007
• SPILLERS, WILLIAM CURTIS – February 17, 2007
• GROEPPER, CHAD DAVID – February 17, 2008
• RUNYAN, LUKE SMYSER – February 17, 2008
• CURRIER, ERIC DENNIS – February 17, 2010
• HART, BRADLEY CHARLES – February 17, 2011
• PILGERAM, JONATHAN ADAM – February 17, 2011
• JOHNSON, CHRISTOFFER PAIGE – February 17, 2011
• OWENS, COREY CHARLES – February 17, 2011
• POUGH, PARIS SHAWN – February 17, 2012