New capability in Afghanistan will help save lives: Air Force commander

Canada’s new assets in Afghanistan will boost the Air Force presence in the skies over Kandahar Province, and make Canadian soldiers safer by reducing their reliance on ground transport, said Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, Chief of the Air Staff. “You can’t hit an IED when you’re flying,” he said, talking about the benefits of Canada’s new air wing. To find out more.

Heron UAV ready to go to work

The Heron is a long-range UAV that can carry a wide variety of sensors and information systems to gather data for intelligence analysis and provide surveillance and target acquisition over a large area. The information gathered by the Heron is in high demand, and will help reduce the number of insurgent attacks by scouting out convoy routes and surrounding areas, scanning for insurgents, and observing suspicious activities such as the planting of improvised explosive devices. To find out more.

Soldiers serve as door gunners on helicopters in Afghanistan

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, are flying as helicopter door gunners in Afghanistan. They are the first Canadian air gunners to engage in combat since the Second World War. With the deployment of CH-146 Griffons and CH-147 Chinooks to Kandahar, gunners are back as integral members of helicopter crews. They protect the aircraft, the crews, their cargo, and the road convoys being escorted by the Griffon tactical helicopter. To find out more

What's New

Prime Minister joins world leaders in supporting NATO’s commitment to Afghanistan

At the recent NATO Leaders Summit, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by the Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, emphasized the importance of NATO remaining committed to Afghanistan. The Prime Minister welcomed the announcement by the United States that it will provide more resources for both the civilian and military aspects of the mission, and continue to work with the Afghan Government and all partners. Read the news release or view the photo album.

Rock Talk III

RoCK Talk is a series of quarterly whole-of-government conferences on Afghanistan. Organized by the Afghanistan Task Force of the Privy Council Office (ATF), its objective is to bring together senior experts from across government to review progress achieved over the last quarter on Canada’s six priorities and three signature projects on Afghanistan and to plan for challenges ahead. Read a summary of the event.

What Canada does to support Afghan Women and Girls

Canada’s six priorities in Afghanistan provide an opportunity to make a direct contribution to improve the well-being of women and girls. Canada supports a full range of projects to increase women’s legal rights and access to education, maternal health, the labour market and political life. To find out more.

Communicating the Importance of Rule of Law

The rule of law is one of Canada’s key priorities for its engagement in Afghanistan. To this end, in early March 2009, the Government of Canada facilitated the visit of Professors Sean Aday and Steven Livingston of George Washington University to the Provinicial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar. To find out more.

Sarpoza Prison Video

This video looks at Canada’s efforts to help build, expand and repair Sarpoza Prison in Kandahar province and to build the capacity of the Afghanistan Prison Guards. Watch the video.

Artillery development in the Afghan National Army

Canada will be providing up to $99 million over the next three years toward training, mentoring and equipping the Afghan National Army and Police; building capacity in administration and logistical support. To find out more.

General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff

"Afghanistan is the most difficult, complex and dangerous operation that we've participated in since Korea. The mission has transformed from one that was focused solely on security through to one that's truly focused solely on enabling the Afghan government to take ownership of their country... And yes, violence has increased over the last year, but if you talk to the soldiers who are there, they'll tell you how proud they are of what they're accomplishing."

General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff

Former Commander and Deputy of Joint Task Force Afghanistan engage Canadians

Following nine months of service in Afghanistan’s volatile Kandahar province, Brigadier-General Denis Thompson and Colonel Jamie Cade of the Canadian Forces (CF) toured the country to share their experiences and observations with Canadians. To find out more.

Former RoCK Outreach Tour

Canada’s former representative in Kandahar, Elissa Golberg, undertook a two-continent outreach tour in March to build awareness and understanding of Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan. To find out more.

Governance Support Office

The CGSO began operations in August 2008 in Kabul to build the institutional capacity of the Afghan government. The CGSO provides expert technical support and advice to the Afghan government in key areas such as policing services, human rights law, elections operations, vocational programming and education, engineering, financial management and administration that are outlined in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and that are part of Canada’s six priorities. To find out more.

All the world’s a stage

Dressed in full Afghan attire rounded out by beards and long hair, the Contemporary Operational Environmental Forces export its unique skills in support of role-playing scenarios mimicking situations soldiers can expect to face in-theatre. To find out more.

Canadian Forces By The Numbers

The Polaris long-range transport, Griffon helicopter, Hercules tactical airlift, and Globemaster aircraft all form an important part of Joint Task Force Afghanistan’s Air Wing in Kandahar. View the quick facts.

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Combat Camera

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