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

2002

• Marines relinquished control of the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division located at the Kandahar International Airport. Approximately 2000 Marines took control of the airport a month ago, moving up from a base they had established about 70 miles southwest of the city.
• 8 al-Qaeda terrorists barricaded themselves inside Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, following a firefight with the terrorists Afghan soldiers, advised by a US Army Special Forces ODA, with the alleged involvement of JTF2, killing 6 and capturing 2.

2005

• Start of Operation Checkmate in Iraq

2006

• Operation Red Bull II in Iraq

2007

• Operation Arbead II in Iraq

Casualties on January 18:

• HORNBECK, KELLY LEWIS – January 18, 2004
• SULLIVAN, CHRISTOPHER JAMES – January 18, 2005
• RECHENMACHER, WILLIAM JOSHUA – January 18, 2007
• ANDRADE, ROBERTO JR – January 18, 2009
• MCKNIGHT, OMAR JAMES – January 18, 2009
• BENSON, KEITH DAVID – January 18, 2012
• MCGEATH, PHILIP DAINE – January 18, 2012