Canada in Kandahar 2011: End in Sight
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It's been nearly a decade since Canadian troops landed in Afghanistan to help aid the U.S. in its goal to identify and neutralize al-Qaeda members in that country, as well as topple the Taliban regime. At the time the goal was clear, but as the years went on and the Canadian soldier death toll increased, Canada's focus on the war dramatically shifted prompting the federal government to announce its withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The Conservative government has since announced that Canada will remain in Afghanistan beyond the 2011 withdrawal of combat forces. The Tories stressed troops will transition from a combat role and will mostly focus on police training.
A view of the six propeller engine of Canada's first J-model CC-130 Hercules aircraft number 602. The first J model in Kandahar Airfield arrived on Jan. 1 2011. The Hercules is preparing for its first mission with crew in Kandahar.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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In conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Afghan National Security Forces and coalition and civilian partners, Task Force Kandahar will continue robust security operations in order to eliminate insurgent violence and set the conditions for successful and sustainable governance, development and peace in southern Afghanistan.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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More than 80 Afghan National Police recently graduated after a six-week basic qualification course, Jan. 6, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The vast majority of Canada's combat troops are currently based in Panjwaii, a largely rural district southwest of Kandahar city known as a Taliban stronghold.
A row of Land Armoured Vehicles practices on the shooting range in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Afghan National Security Forces provide security to an Afghan construction team that is widening and improving the existing dirt road, turning it into an all-weather paved road that is eight metres wide and 18 kilometres long.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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This road will help residents access economic centres for selling their produce, have better access to government services such as education and health care and bring issues to the district governor in a timely and efficient manner.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Afghan National Police members training and mentoring takes place at Camp Hero with a live fire exercise.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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M. Cpl. Dion Sylvain, mentors Afghan National Police members at Camp Hero on a live fire exercise, Jan. 20, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The Operation Mentor and Liaison Team operate with their Afghan counterparts to provide training, mentorship and liaison services.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Soldiers from Task Force Kandahar transport and provide security in a LAV III for the Task Force Kandahar Command around the Task Force Kandahar area of operations, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Habibi, commander of the 1st Brigade of the 205th Hero Corps. of the Afghan National Army is joined by Task Force Kandahar Acting Commander, Col. Richard Giguere, and Acting Task Force Kandahar Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Blais to receive updates on operations, atmospherics and development in the Panjwaii District of Kandahar Province, in southern Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Soldiers from Task Force Kandahar and soldiers from the Afghan National Army provide security while on foot patrol, in Southern Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Habibi, commander of the 1st Brigade of the 205th Hero Corps. of the Afghan National Army is joined by Task Force Kandahar Acting Commander, Col. Richard Giguere and conduct a foot patrol near Chalghowr, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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A key element of Canadian operations in Afghanistan is the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team one of 25 provincial reconstruction teams throughout the country.
Brigadier-General Ahmed Habibi, Commander of the 1st Brigade of the 205th Corps. of the Afghan National Army shakes hands with a local Afghan while on a foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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A soldier from Task Force Kandahar provides security while on a foot patrol, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The Kandahar PRT is composed of around 330-335 personnel composed largely of Canadian Forces elements, but also of a few diplomats, correctional officers, development specialists, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Kandahar PRT also includes one U.S. State Department official, one U.S. development official, and several U.S. police mentors.
A soldier from Task Force Kandahar greets local Afghan children while on a foot patrol, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Soldiers from Task Force Kandahar provide security while on foot patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
A Provincial Reconstruction Team is a unit consisting of officers, diplomats and experts, working to support reconstruction in unstable states.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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In November 2010, the federal government confirmed the details of Canada's mission to Afghanistan after its participation in combat operations ends in 2011.
Soldiers from Task Force Kandahar transport and provide security in a LAV III for the Task Force Kandahar Command around the Task Force Kandahar area of operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The Tories announced that the training and development components of the mission will require at least 950 military personnel to remain in Afghanistan until 2014.
Local Afghan children wave as soldiers from Task Force Kandahar pass by in a LAV III, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2011.
Cpl. Tina Gillies / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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But according to Defence Minister Peter MacKay, no Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan will serve in a combat role after July 2011, nor will they be training Afghan troops in the field.
An Afghan soldier operates a mine detector, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Feb. 1, 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The new mission is expected to cost up to $500 million per year, with a one-time initial expenditure of $85 million for rollout.
Members of Alpha troop from X Battery at forward operating base Sperwan Ghar conduct a fire for effect mission, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Feb. 2, 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The different units of Kandak 4 were all put to the test of executing a reconnaissance mission, conducting mine clearance tasks and executing live fire on a target in the vicinity of a Forward Operating Base in Panjwaii District of Kandahar Province, Feb. 2, 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Members of Alpha troop from X Battery at forward operating base Sperwan Ghar conduct a fire for effect mission.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Members of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team mentoring Kandak 4 of the 1st Battalion of the 205th Corps. of the Afghanistan National Army conducted a series of coordinated validation exercises between February 1st and 3rd 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Afghan gunners from Kandak 4 install a Howitzer D-30 122 mm for a live fire exercise, Feb. 2, 2011.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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In all, Canada's new role in Afghanistan will build on the accomplishments of Canada's mission over the past 10 years.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Based on Afghan needs and the international community's efforts, these priorities have been identified as areas where Canada can make a significant further contribution to tangible progress in Afghanistan. In addition, these initiatives will contribute to improving the lives of Afghan women.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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Canada's renewed engagement builds on Canada's experience and investments in Afghanistan to date, supports Afghan-developed priorities, and sustains progress in key areas essential to Afghanistan's future.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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The estimated cost of Canada's engagement in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2014 is $700 million a year over three years, although final costs will not be known until after 2014.
Cpl. Jean-Francois Carpentier / Canadian Forces Combat Camera
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