Sir,
DND/CF : Backgrounder : Canadian Forces Operations in Afghanistan
BG–05.012 - July 21, 2005
Overview of Current Activities
Canada announced in May 2005 that it was reaffirming its strong defence commitment to Afghanistan. The Canadian Forces (CF) is renewing its presence in Kabul as part of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and deploying a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Kandahar, as part of the United States-led campaign against terrorism called Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). In February 2006, the CF will further increase its presence in the south of Afghanistan by deploying a brigade headquarters and an army task force to Kandahar, where they will remain for nine and 12 months respectively.
Canada’s renewed military contribution in Afghanistan continues building on the success of our peace support operations to strengthen the security situation in the country. The CF commitment will also play a key role in accelerating the expansion of the ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan, expected to occur gradually in 2006, during which the Canadian PRT would transfer from Operation ENDURING FREEDOM to NATO leadership.
Operation ATHENA
Canada extended the mandate of its reconnaissance squadron based at Camp Julien near Kabul until late this fall with, starting in August 2005, the fifth deployment to Operation ATHENA, the Canadian contribution to ISAF. In doing so, the CF continues to provide ISAF with key intelligence, situational awareness, and helps facilitate the Afghan National Assembly and Provincial Council elections process.
As part of Operation ATHENA, Canadian soldiers conduct regular surveillance missions in the ISAF area of responsibility. They are also involved in a number of projects in cooperation with other members of the ISAF team. Of the 900 troops deployed on Operation ATHENA, about 700 are based at Camp Julien in Kabul; the rest are deployed elsewhere in southwest Asia in support of the mission.
Most of the CF personnel deploying on the fifth six-month rotation come from Land Force Central Area in Ontario. The CF is deploying the following forces during this rotation of Operation ATHENA:
* An armoured reconnaissance squadron group with Coyotes and LAV IIIs, based on a squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) with an infantry element from the 3 rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR);
* An engineer squadron from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, providing engineer support;
* An infantry company from the 2 nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR), which is responsible for force protection at Camp Julien;
* A Health Support Services unit from 2 Field Ambulance that provides medical and dental support to the Task Force;
* A National Support Element from 2 Service Battalion, Petawawa, responsible for delivering centralized administrative and logistics support services;
* A National Command Element that links the Chief of the Defence Staff in Ottawa with Commander Task Force Afghanistan (TFA) and his command structure;
* An airlift element in Camp Mirage, the Canadian support base located in southwest Asia, operating CC-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft; and
* An infantry element from Land Force Central Area is also responsible for force protection in Camp Mirage.
After the Afghan National Assembly and Provincial Council elections scheduled for the fall of 2005, Camp Julien will close and remaining assets will move to Kandahar in preparation for the February 2006 deployment of a 250-strong brigade headquarters and an army task force of about 1,000 soldiers, which are expected to be in Kandahar for nine and 12 months respectively.
Operation ARCHER
In July 2005, a Theatre Activation Team of about 220 personnel from the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Group based in Kingston arrived in Kandahar to provide the support and install the infrastructure necessary for the arrival of the PRT.
Starting in August 2005, a Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Team begins operations in Kandahar, where it is expected to remain for 18 months. The PRT brings together personnel from the Canadian Forces (CF), Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in an integrated Canadian effort.
Under Operation ARCHER, the Canadian contribution to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the PRT will reinforce the authority of the Afghan government in and around Kandahar and help stabilize and rebuild the region. It will also help monitor security, promote Afghan government policies and priorities with local authorities, and facilitate security sector reforms.
The PRT is being established in Kandahar City, and some of its support elements will operate from Kandahar International Airport. The PRT will include about 250 soldiers, drawn largely from Land Forces Western Area and 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Edmonton, Alberta:
* An infantry company from the 3 rd Battalion, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI);
* An engineer squadron from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER);
* A combat support company from 1 Service Battalion (1 Svc Bn) and 1 General Support Battalion (1 GS Bn);
* Health and medical support from 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb); and
* Other specialized elements from various CF units.
The PRT will also help lay the groundwork for future Canadian missions in Kandahar with a view to creating a stable society under Afghan governance.
Operation ARCHER also comprises a small cadre of CF instructors helping train the Afghan National Army at Camp Julien.
Chronology of CF Contributions to the Campaign Against Terrorism
Since October 2001, when the United States launched Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Canada has deployed 20 warships and more than 13,500 soldiers, sailors and air personnel in the international campaign against terrorism.
Operation APOLLO
Following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, Canada committed military forces to the campaign against terrorism. Canada’s immediate military contribution to the campaign was a significant manifestation of our solidarity with our allies, and of our resolve in improving international security. On October 8, 2001, the former Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton announced the first CF commitments to the international campaign against terrorism: a Naval Task Group of four ships deployed to the Persian (Arabian) Gulf under Operation APOLLO.
In February 2002, Canada deployed the 3 PPCLI Battle Group under then Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran to Kandahar, Afghanistan for a tour of six months. During this period, the soldiers of the 3 PPCLI Battle Group performed tasks ranging from airfield security to combat. This mission received airlift support from a Tactical Airlift Detachment, later named the Theatre Support Element (TSE), located in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf region.
Further information on Operation APOLLO can be found at
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operati...lo/index_e.htm.
Operation ALTAIR
The Canadian Forces maritime contribution to the campaign against terrorism after October 2003, called Operation ALTAIR, consists of warships deployed individually to operate with U.S. carrier strike groups. The Halifax-class patrol frigate HMCS Toronto deployed with the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf region from January to July 2004. HMCS Winnipeg replaced HMCS Toronto in April 2005, and is committed for six months to operate with the 5 th Fleet of the United States Navy.
The International Security Assistance Force
The CF continued its participation in the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan after August 2003 under Operation ATHENA, Canada’s contribution to ISAF. From February to August 2004, then Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier of Canada headed ISAF, with about 6,500 troops from 35 countries under his command.
Conclusion
In its contributions to ISAF and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Canada’s overarching goal is to prevent Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state that gives terrorist and terrorist organizations a safe haven.
Canadian efforts in Afghanistan have significantly contributed to the overall consolidation of peace and the improvement of human security. Canada’s enhanced efforts continue to help improve the quality of life for the Afghan people and help ensure that the progress made is sustainable.
–30–