KABUL — Canada's expanded military mission in Afghanistan has been handed over to a new commander.

In a subdued ceremony Wednesday at Camp Julien in Kabul, Canadian Forces operations were signed over by Col. Walter Semianiw, who for the past six months has commanded Operation Athena, Canada's contribution to the NATO force in Afghanistan.

He turned over the reigns to Col. Steve Noonan, who will now oversee not only Camp Julien in Kabul and the secretive Camp Mirage airbase, but also Canada's new provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar.

"It's been a long road, and a hard road," Semianiw told members of both the squadron from CFB Petawawa, Ont., that's leaving Afghanistan, and the new one that's taking over.

Semianiw said Canadian soldiers in Kabul played a key role in helping form the camp that will be used by the reconstruction team, or PRT, in Kandahar.

"What we can say at the end of it all? ... Roto 3, mission accomplished."

One of the main tasks of the next rotation of soldiers moving into Kabul, Roto 4, will be tearing down Camp Julien and moving most of its equipment south.

It will be used there by the PRT, as well as by nearly 1,500 soldiers who will bolster Canada's presence in the Kandahar region beginning in February.

"We're very much aware that this is a transitional type of rotation," Col. Noonan said after the handover ceremony.

"Where you start off at the beginning is not where you're going to end up at the end."

Timing will be everything. The new rotation of troops will have to provide security in Kabul in advance of national elections scheduled for Sept. 18. Afterward, they'll go through the logistically complicated process of closing Camp Julien, ensuring that the soldiers are placed elsewhere and the equipment is gone by Dec. 1.

Then, it will be up to this new group of soldiers to ensure a base is established in Kandahar for the larger wave of troops heading to the region.

Looking back over the past six months, one of the more prideful accomplishments seen by Semianiw was the construction of an addition to a school in Kabul.

Having met with local officials, he sees education as a key component of rebuilding Afghanistan and creating a lasting peace.

"They all realize that the future, the secret to success in Afghanistan, is with the children and going to school," he said.

Kabul today is a very different place from when Camp Julien was opened two years ago, said Canada's ambassador in Afghanistan, Chris Alexander, who oversaw the handover ceremony.

"Heavy weapons in the city, and across the country, are in containment as a result of Canadian effort," he said.

"Terrorist networks have quite literally been shut down. Canada is having an impact in this theatre on virtually every front that matters."