Defence Minister Art Eggleton said Monday that Canada is sending warships, planes, and special forces troops to join in the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan. The mission is dubbed Operation Apollo.

"Canadian Forces will become an integral part of the overall campaign," Eggleton told a news conference.

"This campaign will be unlike any campaign we've engaged in before," he said. "Every role in this campaign is significant. Every country determined to halt terror can make an important difference."

Eggleton said the operation will involve six naval ships, six air force planes, special forces soldiers, and more than 2,000 Canadian troops.

The deployment is currently set to last six months, but that period could be extended if the anti-terror campaign lasts longer, Chief of National Defence Staff General Ray Henault said.

In the next few days, Canadian forces will begin to be deployed, a process that will continue over the coming weeks, Eggleton said.

Canada's special forces anti-terrorist squad, Joint Task Force 2, has been requested and will be deployed.

Canada will send two frigates, a destroyer and a supply ship along with Sea King helicopters .

Additionally, Eggleton said, six air force planes -- three C-130 Hercules transport planes, one airbus and two Aurora maritime patrol planes -- are to be sent to the Middle East to support the campaign with surveillance and airlift support.

"Support will also include providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people who have suffered for too long from oppression and want," Eggleton said.

CFB Trenton is to supply the air component of Canada's contribution.

Eggleton stressed that the coalition forming to fight terrorism will do battle on numerous fronts and that the government would keep Canadians informed.

"The coalition of nations that has come together to fight the threat of terrorism will act on a broad front. It includes not only military but humanitarian, financial, legislative, diplomatic, and domestic security initiative," he said.

"We will be providing the Canadian people with regular updates as to our participation and objectives," Eggleton said.

Eggleton also said that Canada had already responded to U.S. requests for military assistance, providing additional CF-18 fighter jets for increased NORAD vigilance and hundreds of personnel for intelligence gathering and surveillance.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Jean Chretien ordered the military on full alert and offered the United States "certain commitments" following the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.

An unspecified number of military bases across Canada were put on high alert and troops were ordered to be ready to deploy.

Canada has already dispatched the HMCS Halifax to the Persian Gulf, a 4,750-tonne frigate with a crew of 220, where it will likely join a U.S. carrier group.

The HMCS Vancouver will also be deployed and integrated into a U.S. carrier battle group.

Chretien spoke with U.S President George Bush shortly before noon Sunday and pledged Canada's military support as the U.S. and British forces launched an initial wave of air strikes against Taliban-held territory in Afghanistan.

He said Bush requested on Friday that Canada take part in a "multi-national military coalition" against terrorism.

"Shortly before noon today, I confirmed to President Bush in a telephone conversation that we will provide the military support requested," Chretien said in a televised speech.

"All Canadians understand what is being asked of the men and women of our armed forces and their families," Chretien said. "As always, they are ready to serve. As always, they will do Canada proud."