Backgrounder

Canadian Forces Operations in Afghanistan

BG–06.003a - August 21, 2006

Why are we there?

More than 2000 members of the Canadian Forces (CF) are in Afghanistan today at the request of the Afghan Government, most of them as part of the UN-Sanctioned NATO-led International Stabilization Assistance Force (ISAF) mission to:

• Defend Canadian interests at home and abroad by preventing Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state that provides a safe haven for terrorists and terrorist organizations;
• Provide the people of Afghanistan with the hope for a brighter future by establishing the security necessary to promote development;
• Help the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its people to build a stable, peaceful and self-sustaining democratic country;

The CF commitment is an important aspect of the Government of Canada’s whole of Government approach to assisting Afghanistan. For more information on Canada’s commitment to Afghanistan visit the Canada-Afghanistan website.

The situation today

The CF contribution to Afghanistan consists of more than 2000 personnel from units across Canada and is referred to as Task Force Afghanistan (TFA). TFA is subdivided into three distinct missions that work in concert with each other and have the same overarching goal of improving the security situation in Afghanistan, and assisting in rebuilding the country. The three missions currently underway are:

• Op ATHENA - The Canadian contribution to the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) currently has 2,000 CF personnel committed to Op ATHENA.
• Op ARCHER – Consists of embedded CF staff officers at Combined Joint Task Force 76 (CJTF-76) headquarters, and the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A, formerly the Office of Security Cooperation - Afghanistan) and a small cadre of CF instructors involved in the training of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at the Canadian Afghan National Training Centre Detachment (CANTC Det) in Kabul. The current Canadian contribution to Op ARCHER consists of about 35 CF personnel.
• Op ARGUS - The Strategic Advisory Team to the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan currently has 15 Canadians working in Kabul in support of Op ARGUS.
  

Operation ATHENA: The Canadian Forces contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF): approximately 2000 CF personnel

On July 31, 2006, CF personnel serving in Afghanistan were once again assigned to the UN-authorized, NATO led ISAF mission in Afghanistan when ISAF assumed command of the southern region of Afghanistan from the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). This transition occurred as a result of the planned expansion of ISAF’s mission in Afghanistan.

From February to July 31, 2006 CF personnel had been operating in Afghanistan under OEF leadership as part of Operation ARCHER following the consolidation of the majority CF assets from Kabul, to Kandahar Airfield. CF personnel had previously served as part of ISAF from August 2003 to November 2005 in the Kabul area (Operation ATHENA 2003-2005). 

Background

ISAF was originally authorized by the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1386 on December 20, 2001, with a mandate to assist the Afghan Transitional Authority. UN support for ISAF has been reaffirmed in subsequent Security Council Resolutions, most recently in UNSCR  1659 on February 15, 2006. Since its original mission of providing security in the Kabul area, ISAF has expanded into 13 provinces of northern, western and now southern Afghanistan, regions in which it also commands the military components of nine Provincial Reconstruction Teams. More information on ISAF can be found on the ISAF website.

Mission

The Canadian government’s overarching goal in contributing to ISAF is to prevent Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state that provides a safe haven for terrorists and terrorist organizations. Canada remains committed to the campaign against terrorism and, with our allies, will make a major contribution to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Canada aims to help Afghanistan become the following:

• A stable nation that is no longer a haven for terrorism;
• A country that meets the needs of its people; and
• A fully integrated part of the international community.

Afghanistan’s full and sustained recovery is key to eliminating the threat of terrorism and achieving greater international security and stability. The reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan will require a considerable and sustained commitment, and Canada has extended the CF mission in Afghanistan until February 2009.
CF personnel deployed as part of OP ATHENA comprise the following units (all figures approximate):

• Overall 2,000 CF personnel support the ISAF mission:
• Brigadier-General David Fraser, Commander of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (Edmonton, Alta.), is the Commander of the Canadian-led Multi National Brigade for Regional Command South (MNB RC (South) in Afghanistan.  He is responsible for Canadian and ISAF operations, leading a force of about 6,000 soldiers from Canada and seven other nations including: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the U.S., Australia, Denmark, Romania, and Estonia. He will turn over command to the Netherlands in November 2006;
• 200 CF members with the Multi-National Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (MNB HQ & Sig Sqn) in Kandahar. Constructed primarily from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron (1 CMBG HQ and Sig Sqn) Edmonton, however it also includes many professional and dedicated Regular and Reserve Force members from across Canada.  Its role is to assist Brigadier-General Fraser in accomplishing his mission and provide him and his Staff with the communications necessary to exercise command and control over the MNB RC (South) in Afghanistan.
• 300 CF members with the National Command Element (NCE) in Kandahar. Primarily composed of elements of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Petawawa, On, the NCE also contains members from various units within the Land Force Central Area, as well as health services personnel from across Canada;  
• 300 CF members in the National Support Element (NSE) in Kandahar, primarily from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 2 Service Battalion, also from Petawawa;
• 250 CF members with the Theatre Support Element (TSE) in Southwest Asia;
• 70 Health Service Support (HSS) personnel at the Multinational Medical Unit (MMU) at Kandahar Airfield comprised of personnel from 2 Field Ambulance and 1 Canadian Field Hospital in Petawawa, On., and other Health Services units from across Canada;
• A Battle Group of 970 in Kandahar, primarily from 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (1RCR), which includes:
  • Soldiers from 1 RCR and 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of CFB Petawawa and CFB Shilo, in Manitoba, respectively;
  • An engineer squadron from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER) in Petawawa;
  • An artillery battery from 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2RCHA) in Petawawa; 
  • An armoured reconnaissance troop, from The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) in Petawawa;
  • A Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit comprised primarily of personnel from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron based in Edmonton, AB, and 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada based in Valcartier, PQ.
  • Operational Mentor Liaison Teams (OMLTs) from Land Forces Quebec Area (LFQA), partnering with Afghan National Army (ANA) Infantry Kandak Battalion and ANA Corps HQ

The Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)

Since August 2005, a Canadian PRT has operated in Kandahar, where it is expected to remain until February 2009. The PRT brings together elements from the Canadian Forces (CF), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and civilian police led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in an integrated Canadian effort  known as the “All of Government” approach. Approximately 220 personnel are based at the PRT site at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City.
Under Operation Athena, the Canadian contribution to ISAF, the PRT reinforces the authority of the Afghan government in Kandahar Province, assisting in the stabilization and development of the region. It monitors security, promotes Afghan government policies and priorities with local authorities, and facilitates security sector reforms. 
The PRT is located at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. The PRT comprises approximately 220 military and civilian personnel, drawn largely from Land Forces Central Area (LFCA) and 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) based in Petawawa, Ont. The PRT includes:

• The PRT Commander’s Tactical Headquarters Group, which provides protection and mobility to the PRT Commander and his staff;
• A Civil-Military Cooperation Platoon from Land Force Central Area;
• A Military Police Platoon from 2 CMBG in Petawawa;
• Health and medical support from 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb);
• Service and support elements drawn from across Canada; and
• Other specialized elements from various CF units across Canada.

Operation ARCHER (Approximately 35 Personnel)

The Canadian contribution to the U.S. led Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan is known as Operation ARCHER.

The CF has assigned Brigadier-General Daniel Pepin and 3 other Canadians to the Combined Joint Task Force 76 (CJTF-76) headquarters at Bagram Airfield. CJTF-76 is an operational headquarters for the eastern regional commands in Afghanistan, to learn more about CJTF-76 visit their website.

Since the fall of the Taliban in December 2001, the International Community has been rebuilding Afghanistan’s infrastructure, institutions, government, and army. This effort involves more than just supplying weapons and equipment; Canada has contributed to the U.S. led effort to build a security infrastructure that includes operational forces, sustaining institutions, and the general staff and ministries to direct these organizations. The Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) (formerly the Office of Security Cooperation - Afghanistan) is currently re-forming and building both the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP). The Canadian Forces has assigned Brigadier General Gary O’Brien and 13 other Canadian officers to the CSTC-A in March 2006. To learn more about CSTC-A visit their website.

The CF has also contributed approximately 15 personnel to act as instructors involved in the training of the Afghan National Army at the Canadian Afghan National Training Centre Detachment (C ANTC Det) in Kabul.

Operation ARGUS (Approximately 15 Personnel)

Strategic Advisory Team – Afghanistan (SAT – A)

Since September 2005 the Canadian Forces has, on a bi-lateral basis, provided a team of strategic military planners to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in developing key national strategies and mechanisms for the effective implementation of those strategies.  The team is called the Strategic Advisory Team - Afghanistan, or SAT-A.

The Strategic Advisory Team consists of 14 Canadian Forces members and civilian employees, augmented by a CIDA officer to advise on development issues. The team includes a small command and support element, two teams of strategic planners, a defence analyst and a strategic communications advisor.  The composition, size and capabilities of the team are adjusted as necessary.
The Strategic Advisory Team, in consultation with the Canadian Ambassador, the Head of Aid and with a senior representative of the Afghan government, provides direct planning support to government ministries and working groups in the development and governance realms.  To date, the team has worked extensively with the Afghanistan's National Development Strategy Working Group, Public Administration Reform, Civil Service Gender Equity Policy, and with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

The teams are embedded in their partner Afghan Government ministries and agencies and work under Afghan leadership.  The basic method of operation is that the team assists working level officials integrate the substantive ideas of the Afghan leadership and international experts into cohesive strategic frameworks. Working closely with the Ambassador, CIDA and the Afghan Government, SAT-A is an example of the "whole of government" concept at work so that Canada can maximize the value of its contribution. The planning team members bring a very wide range of training, education, experience, and military strategic planning skills to bear on the resolution of complex civil problems.

Are we making a difference?

Yes. The greatest improvements in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime can be seen in the Kabul area, which was the initial focus of ISAF’s security efforts. Development efforts can only flourish in a secure environment, but establishing security takes time, success in Southern Afghanistan is best measured over the long term.

With the support of the international community Afghanistan has made remarkable strides since the fall of the Taliban Regime with:

• A new constitution;
• Successful presidential and legislative elections;
• More than four million children enrolled in school;
• Reforms begun in defence, justice, and finance;
• Significant progress made in demining; and
• The reintegration of nearly three million Afghan refugees.

Conclusion

In its participation in ISAF and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Canada’s overarching goal in Afghanistan is to prevent the country from relapsing into a failed state that gives terrorist and terrorist organizations a safe haven.
Canadian efforts in Afghanistan have contributed significantly to the overall consolidation of peace and the improvement of human security in the region. The next phase of Canadian operations in Afghanistan will be to continue to help improve the quality of life for the Afghan people, and to ensure that the progress made is sustainable in the long term.

There are significant risks involved in these types of operations, but the Canadian Forces remain one of the best trained, most experienced and professional militaries in the world. The men and women of the CF are brave, well led, well trained, well equipped, and fully resolved to continue their mission in Afghanistan.

Past Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan and support to the international campaign against terror:

Since October 2001, Canada has deployed 22 warships and more than 18,000 sailors, soldiers and air force personnel in the international campaign against terrorism.

Operation APOLLO

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York and Washington, Canada made a significant military commitment to the campaign against terrorism to demonstrate solidarity with our allies and our resolve to improve international security. 
On October 8, 2001, the then Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton announced the departure of the first CF units to join the international campaign against terrorism. A Naval Task Group of four ships deployed to the Persian (Arabian) Gulf under Operation APOLLO was deployed. In February 2002, the 3 PPCLI Battle Group commanded by then Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran deployed to Kandahar for a six-month tour of duty that included tasks ranging from airfield security to combat. This mission received airlift support from a Tactical Airlift Detachment, later named the Theatre Support Element (TSE), which was located in Southwest Asia.
For more information on Operation APOLLO visit http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/Apollo/index_e.htm.

Operation ALTAIR

Operation ALTAIR, which began in October 2003, consisted of warships deployed individually to operate with U.S. carrier strike groups in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf region. The Halifax-class patrol frigate Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto deployed with the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group from January to July 2004. In April 2005, HMCS Winnipeg deployed for six months with the 5th Fleet of the United States Navy.
For more information on Operation ALTAIR visit http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/altair/index_e.asp.

Operation SIRIUS

The Halifax-class patrol frigate HMCS Montréal began operating in the Mediterranean Sea on February 22 in support of the NATO coalition campaign against terrorism mission known as Operation Active Endeavour. The Canadian Forces participation in Operation Active Endeavour was named Operation SIRIUS .

Operation ATHENA (2003-2005)

The CF returned to the effort to stabilize and reconstruct Afghanistan in August 2003 under Operation ATHENA, the deployment of a large contingent in Kabul to serve with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Of note, from February to August 2004, then Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier commanded ISAF, which comprised at that point some 6,500 troops from 35 countries.

Over five successive six-month rotations since August 2003, Canadian soldiers deployed on Operation ATHENA routinely conducting foot patrols and surveillance missions in the ISAF area of responsibility and co-operated with other ISAF contingents in a variety of missions and projects. Through these activities, the Canadian contingent provided ISAF with key military presence and capability, intelligence, situational awareness, and helped facilitate rebuilding the democratic process for the Afghan National Assembly and Provincial Council elections.

On October 18, 2005, Operation ATHENA ended with the withdrawal of the Canadian reconnaissance squadron from ISAF, and the end of five deployments of CF personnel to the Kabul area since August 2003, when the Canadian government first made a commitment to help the international community maintain a safe and secure environment in and around Kabul.

On November 29, 2005, the last Canadian material assets were moved and shipped out to Kandahar, and Camp Julien was officially handed over to the Afghan Ministry of Defence.

Operation ARCHER

As part of Task Force Afghanistan (TFA), approximately 2,300 Canadian Forces personnel were deployed in Afghanistan on the first rotation (ROTO 1) of Canada’s renewed commitment to the international campaign against terrorism, Operation ARCHER. For more information visit the Operation ARCHER Backgrounder.

- 30 -