when did al qaeda first form?

Its roots can be traced back to Usama bin Laden and others around the time of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989.

"The name 'al-Qaeda' was established a long time ago by mere chance. The late Abu Ebeida El-Banashiri established the training camps for our mujahedeen against Russia's terrorism. We used to call the training camp al-Qaeda. The name stayed." ~ Usama bin Ladin

They were formed in 1989 after they split from an anti-Soviet guerrilla group. Their head ever since the beginning was al-Zawahari and bin Laden.

"Al-Qaeda is an international alliance of militant Sunni jihadist organizations. Its roots can be traced back to Osama bin Laden and others around the time of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989. Al-Qaeda's objectives include the elimination of foreign influence in Muslim countries, eradication of those deemed to be "infidels", elimination of Israel, the creation of a new Islamic caliphate, and world domination."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Qaeda

back in deseret storm. when we was helping sadam build up his country. and we at the time could have gotten bin laden AND STOPPED ALQAEDA. BUT WE ******* DIDN'T CAUSE THE AMERICAN GOVERMENT HAD TO BE ALL ******* CONSTITUIONAL. AND ***** UP CAUSE THEY THEY BELEIVE IN FOLLOWING RULES INSTEAD OF DOING THE ******* RIGHT THING.