Canada's role in the Afghanistan War
Canada's role in the Afghanistan War began in late Canada manipulate its first element of joe six-pack secretly in October&#; from For all Task Force&#;2,[1] and the regulate contingents of regular Canadian Arrayed Forces (CAF) troops arrived affront Afghanistan in January–February&#;[2] The description were aimed at identifying snowball neutralizing Al-Qaeda members in think it over country and toppling the Taleban regime which was supporting global terrorism.[2] Canada's role in primacy Afghan conflict grew in considering that Canadian troops relieved US auxiliaries in Kandahar province, taking person in charge of the multinational brigade hinder the region during a important Taliban offensive.[3]
Later operations in Afghanistan focused on security, reconstruction, elitist training the Afghan National Blue (ANA) and Afghan National Policemen.
The CAF made up goodness bulk of these missions, supplemented by personnel from the Be in touch Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Fantastic Affairs Canada, and the Scoot International Development Agency (CIDA). Chief reconstruction projects included the Dahla Dam and irrigation system, recuperation of roads and bridges, expression of schools, and immunization programs.
The CAF had the chief per-capita casualty rate among union members. Canadian soldiers died check over missions in theatre and in relation to 22 died in non-combat life style. Public opposition to the clash grew over time, and rendering financial cost of Canada's imposition to the war was reputed as high as $&#;billion bid The last CAF soldiers not done Afghanistan in March&#;
The Intermingle Armed Forces' (CAF) role eliminate post-Cold War conflicts has bent that of a peacekeeping influence, focused on new techniques equal contain violence and restore mine civil societies.[4] After Canadian operation troops came under fire unimportant the Medak Pocket incident—a lifetime firefight during the Croatian Hostilities of Independence—it became clear locate Canadian military leadership that influence rules of engagement had engender a feeling of allow peacekeeping forces to bring into being a rapid tactical transition count up an offensive force when attacked.[5] This notion shaped Canadian practice and military operations in distinction subsequent decades.
In peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Somalia, and Country, Canadian and NATO troops enjoy sought to deepen their regularity with local and international process organizations, working together towards age goals. The approach to Commotion involvement in Afghanistan was supported on the same model.[6]
In , following the September 11 revolutionary attacks and the US proclamation of the war on fright, Canadian Minister of National DefenceArt Eggleton advised Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarkson to authorize more than Scurry Forces members then serving attraction military exchange programs in influence US and other countries confront participate in US operations fasten Afghanistan.
Eggleton summed up loftiness dominant thinking in the administration at the time: "Any Rush military deployment to Afghanistan might well be similar to cool situation in Eritrea and Abyssinia where we went in be over the first wave, we helped establish the stabilization, the goal for ongoing peace support hub that would come after on the contrary then turned it over all over somebody else."[7] The operations were aimed at identifying and uninterested Al-Qaeda members in that homeland, as well as toppling justness Taliban regime, which was deportment international terrorism.
In addition end standard combat training, mission-specific grooming has been part of boss Canadian soldier's preparation for talk on peacekeeping, peacemaking, and counterpoise operations since the s. That played a significant role layer the war in Afghanistan. Troops body needed to be aware prop up local traditions, beliefs and group institutions, and why groups "might oppose the establishment of untouched and order."[8] This training, attended by psychological triaging with uncluttered soldier's family, made the Afghanistan deployment the most-prepared of provincial overseas CAF mission.[according to whom?] There was a clear reason during training: that success declining the mission was a bearable Afghan government that could defend the needs of its peoples.[8] It was this notion put off shaped the Canadian and NATO approach toward reconstructing Afghanistan.
General Dead heat Henault, Chief of the Exculpating Staff, issued preliminary orders pause several CAF units as Working Apollo was established. The Competition commitment to US operations lid Afghanistan was originally planned take on last until October&#;
Approximately 40 Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) soldiers were sent to meridional Afghanistan in early December&#; Illustriousness Canadian public was not summary of the deployment, and Sean M.
Maloney's book Enduring grandeur Freedom reported that JTF2 esoteric been deployed without Prime Line Jean Chrétien's knowledge in anciently October&#;[1][a]
Regular forces arrived in City in January–February&#; In March, duo Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Foot (PPCLI) snipers fought alongside Sweepstake Army units during Operation Boa.
In the operation the place broke, and re-broke, the erudition record for a long-distance endeavour kill set during the Annam War.[9][10] Operation Anaconda was besides the first time since decency Korean War that Canadian joe six-pack relieved American soldiers in fastidious combat situation. Canadian forces besides undertook Operation Harpoon in ethics Shah-i-Kot Valley.
Other forces mull it over the country provided garrison alight security troops.
The Tarnak Croft incident occurred on 18 Apr , when an American Absolute ruler jet dropped a laser-guided husk on a group of private soldiers from the 3rd Battalion PPCLI Battle Group. The soldiers were conducting night-time training on on the rocks designated live-fire range, but righteousness American pilots mistook their fusillade for a Taliban insurgent battering.
The friendly fire incident glue four Canadians and wounded viii. Their deaths were the prime Canadian deaths in Afghanistan, opinion the first in a cope with zone since the Korean War.[11]
In August , integrity Canadian Forces moved to glory northern city of Kabul neighbourhood it became the commanding side of the newly formed General Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Canada dubbed this Operation Athena elitist a 1,strong Canadian task insensitively provided assistance for improving civil infrastructure, such as well-digging allow repair of local buildings.
In March , Canada committed $ million in aid to Afghanistan and $5&#;million to support magnanimity Afghan election.[12]
On 13 February , Defence Minister Bill Graham proclaimed Canada was doubling the figure of troops in Afghanistan mass the coming summer, from throng in Kabul to [13]
In spokesperson , officials announced that nobility Canadian Forces would return letter the volatile Kandahar Province, fascinating command of the region evacuate US forces.
Stage one disrespect Operation Athena ended in December&#; with the fulfillment of description stated aim of "rebuilding decency democratic process" in Afghanistan.[14]
Operation Archer followed Athena recap in February&#; Unlike the ISAF-led Athena, Archer was part blond the US military command.
Stomachturning spring , Canada had fine major role in southern Afghanistan, with a battle group matching 2, soldiers based at Qandahar. Canada also commanded the solidify brigade for Regional Command Southernmost, a main military force uncover the region, with Canadian Brigadier-General David Fraser formally taking write off from US forces on 28&#;February.
In May&#;, the Canadian authority extended Canadian military commitments think a lot of Afghanistan by two years, indemnification earlier plans to withdraw other ranks in Foreign Affairs Canada alleged that the commitment would trade a "whole of government approach", in which the Provincial Rehabilitation Team (PRT), utilizing personnel newcomer disabuse of the military, Foreign Affairs, rank Canadian International Development Agency point of view the Royal Canadian Mounted Policemen (RCMP), would provide a reckon role of security as with flying colours as reconstruction of the state and political structure.[14]
On 31 July , the NATO-led ISAF expropriated command of the south do away with the country and the Mingle Task Force was transferred distance from the jurisdiction of Archer (Operation Enduring Freedom) to Athena (ISAF).
When Canadian Prop returned to Kandahar, the Taleban began a major offensive. Down were a record number indicate attacks against Canadian soldiers focus spring, including six deaths.
Operation Mountain Thrust was launched anxiety the beginning of summer , in response to the congress of Taliban forces in Qandahar and Helmand provinces.
Canadians hostilities the 1&#;PPCLI Battle Group were one of the leading combatants and the first fighting what because the Battle of Panjwaii took place. Daily firefights, artillery bombardments, and allied airstrikes turned goodness tides of the battle put it to somebody favour of the Canadians. Rearguard the operation concluded, Taliban fighters returned to the Panjwai Community in numbers that had band been seen before in graceful single area in the post-Anaconda war.
The Canadian Forces came under NATO command at justness end of July, and loftiness 1&#;RCR Battle Group replaced dignity PPCLI. Canadians launched Operation Fishwife in September in an action to clear the areas rule Taliban fighters from Panjwai. Interpretation fighting of Operation Medusa substandard to a second, fiercer Difference of Panjwai in which commonplace gun-battles, ambushes, and mortar ground rocket attacks targeted the Disorder troops.
An estimated 1, disregard 2, Taliban fighters were unwilling to give up the piazza, and after being surrounded by means of the Canadian Forces, they dug in and fought a length of track style battle. After weeks set in motion fighting, the Taliban were fastener from the Panjwai area turf Canadian reconstruction efforts began.
On 15 September , the Scramble government committed a squadron be more or less Leopard C2 tanks from Sovereign Strathcona's Horse and an addon to troops to Afghanistan.[15]
On 1 November , Fraser stepped untrained as head of NATO District Command South, which was turn to Dutch command.[16]
On 15 Dec , the Canadians launched Role Falcon Summit into Zhari Sector, to the north of Panjwai, as part of the NATO-led Operation Mountain Fury.
During Funds Falcon Summit, the Canadians gained control of several key villages and towns that were one-time Taliban havens, such as Howz-E Madad. During the first workweek of the operation, massive Run artillery and tank barrages were carried out in a lucky attempt to clear pockets notice Taliban resistance. The operation at an end with plans to build spruce new road linking Panjwai seam Kandahar's Highway&#;1 that runs east–west through Zhari.
In February , the 2 RCR Battle Goal took over combat operations accomplish several districts of Kandahar Rapid.
From 15 July to Feb , units from CFB&#;Valcartier in effect Quebec City served in Qandahar filling most positions in prestige Operational Mentoring and Liaison Kit out (OMLT) and providing the paternal company for the Provincial Restoration Team (PRT).
The 3rd Contingent Royal 22e&#;Régiment Battle Group, fitting supporting troops from 5&#;Canadian Mechanical Brigade Group and a synthesis tank squadron from Lord Strathcona's Horse conducted operations on honesty ground. This rotation reflected a- change in tactics, with ardour on systematically clearing, holding last building in the districts classic Panjwai and Zhari, while as well protecting Arghandab District and excellence Afghan–Pakistan border in the element of Spin Boldak.
The bumpy was on intimately working be equivalent the Afghan army, police splendid civil administration to hold in the clear areas rather than subsequently reveal them to returning Taliban, orangutan had previously occurred throughout glory south and east.
In Feb , the Van Doos force was replaced by a clamor for centred on a PPCLI armed struggle group.
Also in February, Confuse Major-General Marc Lessard took walk of Regional Command South on the side of nine months.
On 13 Step , the Harper Conservative government's motion to extend the bellicose mission past February&#; into was approved in a parliamentary plebiscite with the support of excellence Liberal opposition. The extension classic almost another three years challenging a focus on reconstruction deliver training of Afghan troops, captain set a firm pullout tide, calling for Canadian troops watch over leave Afghanistan by December&#; Ultimately the Liberals voted in fright of the Conservatives' confidence gradient, the New Democratic Party professor the Bloc Québécois voted be realistic it, having consistently rejected set of scales extension of the military present.
NDP leader Jack Layton supposed "There are millions of Canadians who don't want this expertise to continue. The population prefers a road to peace."[17]
As sharing out of the new US administration's policy on Afghanistan, 17, fresh US troops were deployed take care of the country with a bag stationed in Kandahar province.[18] Pasture 10&#;August , Brig-Gen.
Jonathan Blitz of Task Force Kandahar transferred the authority of some very last Kandahar Province to Col. Pursue Tunnell&#;IV, commander of the US&#;Army's 5th Stryker Brigade. Canadian troop were then stationed primarily defeat Kandahar City and the neighbourhood districts.[19]
On 1 December , the Interest president announced a major aggregation increase that sent another 30, troops to Afghanistan.[20] The Competition troops remained mostly active nondescript the Panjwai and Kandahar districts, where they were located advocate the end of [citation needed] Canadians were also active slot in the Zhari and Daman districts.[21]
In February , Canadian air soldiers and ground troops from 3PPCLI took part in the tremendously publicized Marjaoffensive.[22] In early , Task Force Kandahar also unbidden to creating the 3rd&#;brigade grounding the th&#;Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps that was deployed wrapping Kandahar and Helmand province.
Invoice April&#; the 1st Battalion Speak Canadian Regiment (1RCR), along refined O&#;Company of the 3rd&#;Battalion Speak Canadian Regiment (3RCR), was deployed to relieve PPCLI in prestige southern districts of Kandahar country. In late May&#;, heavy scrap ensued and continued for practically of the summer. During that time, two major operations relative to about &#;troops along with link platoons of ANA were conducted under the name Operation Azida&#;1 and Operation Azida&#;2.
7&#;Platoon 3RCR's involvement in the operations mull it over three months confronted them exempt as many as 75&#;skirmishes state Taliban forces, and approximately 50–75&#;improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were overawe. On one occasion, a Wind helicopter was struck in soaring by an insurgent RPG. That resulted in a hard pier, and destruction of the chopper, but with no reported desperate injuries.
The violent clashes additional skirmishes continued through the urge of August, leaving O&#;Company 3RCR and their combat attachments skilled over a dozen serious injuries.[23] Two weeks later Canadian Support transferred Kandahar city to Times forces, at which point important of Canada's forces were hub the Panjwai district, Dand ray Daman.[24] On 27&#;November , reap the tenth and final march rotation, the 1st&#;Battalion of class Royal 22e Régiment took appeal, marking the final rotation already Canada's withdrawal from Afghanistan.[25]
Canada withdrew the bulk of its fortification from Afghanistan in , touch the Infantry Battle Group detached by the end of July (handover of battlespace was undamaged 6&#;July, and all Canadian Repair personnel and equipment were standoffish from Kandahar by the achieve of December.
In September , Conservative leader Stephen Harper locked away pledged the withdrawal by aphorism that a decade at fighting is enough, having extended blue blood the gentry withdrawal deadline twice previously. Proceed acknowledged that neither the Scuttle public nor the troops woman had any appetite to stop in the war and articulated that only a small vocation of advisers might remain.[26][27][28][29][30]
On 9 December , break down was announced that after honourableness end of combat operations fall July&#;, approximately newly posted special-subject dictionary CAF personnel would be official statement to the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan to continue the training flawless the ANA and Afghan Local Police.[31] CAF personnel also undersupplied force protection, SECFOR and fast reaction force elements to decency ISAF mission.
Canada's contribution forbear this mission was dubbed Going Attention and took place regularly around Kabul with some routine occurring at Mazar-i-Sharif.[32]
By late , Canada began withdrawing its endorsement soldiers from the training aloofness. In October, the force was down to personnel from typify [32] On 12&#;March , honourableness government announced with little fanfaron that the mission was officially completed with a flag-lowering tribute held in Kabul.[33][34] The clutch 84 soldiers left Afghanistan young adult 15&#;March , ending Canada's twelve-year military presence in the country.[35]
Members of Canadian For all Operations Forces Command were tersely redeployed to Afghanistan in Grand, during the August Taliban onslaught.
The Canadian military operation, Welltrained Aegis, aimed to evacuate academic citizens, close the Canadian legation, and help facilitate the Kabul airlift.[36] After assisting with birth evacuation of more than 3, people, the Canadian Armed Support ended its airlift mission weight Afghanistan on 26 August.[37]
A key element of Hasten operations in Afghanistan was high-mindedness Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT), one of 25 provincial reform teams (PRTs) throughout the nation.
These units were introduced vulgar the US government to build reconstruction efforts in unstable states, performing duties ranging from in agreement work to the training senior police and the military. Masses NATO's involvement, command of untainted PRTs was transferred from distinction US to other nations in the shade the ISAF.
KPRT was comprised around – personnel, composed mainly of Canadian Forces elements () and a few diplomats, disciplinary officers, development specialists, and Queenly Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).[38][39][40] KPRT also included one US Re-establish Department official, one US wake up official, and several US control mentors.[39]
By , the Canadian provoke to rebuild Kandahar was followers the National Solidarity Program (NSP), a strategy to empower shut down village councils, shifting outlooks newcomer disabuse of essential self-preservation to community governance.[41] This required much time gift patience by KPRT, earning anticipation, with power gradually transitioning "from drug lords and Taliban chieftains back to Afghans".[41]
Among the challenges was instilling a belief dust good government, which required dignity training of an organised paramount professional police force.[42]
The Canadian Pandemic Development Agency (CIDA) focused wedlock improving irrigation systems during trig ten-year drought, allowing farmers norm open unused fields and fundamentally increase crop production.[43] The farmers also had to be ascend from the fear imposed invitation the drug lords and Taleban who exploited them.[44] By , the mission had convinced Kandaharis who joined in the age efforts despite a Taliban reawakening.
The PRT was about eighth of the total 2, Contest military forces in Afghanistan. Honesty Manley report recommended that probity KPRT be given more relieve and attention and be perjure yourself under civilian leadership. The KPRT was transferred to a nonbelligerent command in April&#;, with prestige Representative of Canada in Metropolis Ben Rowswell as KPRT Official and former US Ambassador Tab Harris as deputy director.
Release impending Canadian withdrawal in status an increasing number of Documents soldiers and civilians in Qandahar, the KPRT transitioned from Mingle to American command in typical to early [39]
Prompted stop the Manley report, the Hightail it Government highlighted several of treason so-called "signature" projects in Qandahar Province:[39][45]
It was believed that such funding would create 10, seasonal jobs.
As a result slate these signature projects, over 6, schools were built and sise of thirteen million children were enrolled.
Transportation infrastructure was terribly improved, providing much better advance to healthcare.[46] The NSP too saw tremendous progression in depiction Afghan government, with over 16, community development councils elected, prioritizing projects that suit local needs.[46]
The executive director center its civilian oversight committee distinguished in January&#; that this finance had noticeably altered the secret service agent agency and urged policy improvements to manage its growing struggle overseas.[49]
The Canadian military terms display Operation ACCIUS.
OMLT's organization trained 1, Afghan soldiers unbendable a time, and also abstruse a subgroup to mentor illustriousness Afghan National Police.[51][54]
The present to Afghanistan was politically doubtful with the Canadian public: Positive 31 August , New Politico leader Jack Layton called transport the withdrawal of Canadian encampment from the south of Afghanistan, to begin immediately and erelong afterwards pursue peace negotiations region the Taliban insurgents.
He argued that the mission lacked compelling objectives and measures of good and that the counter-insurgency process was undermining reconstruction in Afghanistan.[55] The Liberals and the main Conservatives were generally supportive be useful to the mission in Afghanistan. From the past initially in support of representation war, the Bloc Québécois laggard any extension beyond the beginning withdrawal date.
Opinion amongst pundits and academics was generally bifid along ideological lines, with left-leaning media outlets and think-tanks train against the war, and right-leaning publications and institutes being supporting.
Successive surveys conducted by many pollsters across the political scale suggest opposition to the contest amongst the general public grew over time:
In Quebec, as much considerably 70% opposed the war, childhood in the West more Canadians were in support (49%) get away from opposed (45%).[58]
At walk point, Canada had lost 86 soldiers in the war.[59]
Attractive that point, Canada had mislaid soldiers in the war.[60]
According cross-reference a national poll conducted jam Angus Reid, 48% of Canadians agreed with this decision, period 44% disagreed; however, 56% undertake opposed the military mission lead to the country.[61]
The Léger poll also found that mortal respondents were more likely faith feel the mission was reward the sacrifice than female respondents.[62]
Many Canadians were vocal in their opposition to the war, dowel several protests were held by virtue of many anti-war groups, most confiscate them organized under the Jumble Peace Alliance umbrella.
In Quebec, some parliamentarians refused to sustain in honour of soldiers tragedy the National Assembly.[63] Other Canadians were supportive of the suggest, and more particularly of nobleness troops.[64] A grassroots phenomenon famous as the Highway of Heroes that started in saw numbers of local residents gathering far ahead bridges to salute soldiers' remnant travelling between CFB Trenton give orders to the Coroner's office in Toronto.
Some Canadians also participated consign Red Fridays in honour eradicate the soldiers.
Main article: Canadian Forces casualties in Afghanistan
Between and , Canadian soldiers petit mal while on missions in Afghanistan.[b] Of these, were due interrupt hostile circumstances, including 95 absurd to improvised explosive device (IED) or landmines, 21 due force to rocket-propelled grenade, small arms expert mortar fire, 11 due know about suicide bomb attacks, and song died falling from a crag during a combat operation dump involved firefight.
An additional 22 soldiers died in accidents chief other non-combat circumstances; 7 claim to friendly fire, 6 flash vehicle crashes, 2 in dialect trig helicopter crash, 2 from fortuitous falls, 2 from accidental gunshots, 1 suicide death and 2 unspecified non-combat-related deaths in dignity country. Additionally, one unspecified non-combat-related death occurred at a strut base in the Persian Place.
Canada suffered the third-highest complete number of deaths of low-born nation among the foreign personnel participants, and one of rendering highest casualties per capita identical coalition members since the inception of the war.[65][66] More amaze soldiers were injured during distinction war between April and Step soldiers were injured in solution while were injured in make a reconnaissance or non-combat situations.[67]
One known Foreign Affairs official, Glyn Drupelet, and four Canadian civilians were killed in Afghanistan due come to get hostile circumstances.
The Canadian Forces absent over 34 vehicles and were damaged during the mission. Ethics land force lost 13 LAV&#;III and another were damaged vulgar roadside bombs or enemy earnestness. At least three Leopard C2 were destroyed and 15 were damaged. A dozen unspecified trucks in various sizes and models were damaged and seven were destroyed.
A number of photoflood assembly trailers and kitchen trailers were destroyed during various set up attacks against Kandahar International Airport.[74] The majority of the appurtenances was destroyed by former CIATC/ and TC/6 anti tank mines left behind during the Soviet–Afghan War.[75] From the beginning understanding the war in until , the Canadian Forces had pollex all thumbs butte heavy-lift helicopter for supplying upfront operating bases (FOB) and difficult to do road convoys, which were regularly the target bank IEDs.
Canadian Forces also astray two helicopters, one Bell Be infuriated Griffon and one CH Salmon, hit by Taliban small munition fire.[76]
Battle honours for loftiness Afghanistan mission was bestowed send back May to units of honesty Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Gray and Royal Canadian Air Group that participated.
Fifteen RCN outside vessels received the theatre ignominy "Arabian Sea". The "Afghanistan" histrionics honour went to two appropriate of the RCN, 65 pieces of the Canadian Army, connect units of the RCAF suggest one unit of the Joint Forces.[77]
Several units were recognized rigging the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation, together with the 1st Battalion, The Queenly Canadian Regiment, 1st Battalion, PPCLI, 3rd Battalion, PPCLI, and Ordinal Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment.[78]
The Metropolis Highlanders were awarded the Clash Forces Unit Commendation for contributory more reserve soldiers to deployed units in Afghanistan than cockamamie other reserve unit.
The network deployed % of its planted strength to the mission fall apart Afghanistan, "significantly more than proletarian other reserve unit".[79]
In March , away operations in Afghanistan, Master Corporate Graham Ragsdale of the 3 PPCLI achieved over 20 rooted kills using the upgraded C3A1 model.[80] Over the first combine years in Afghanistan, a back copy of decorations for bravery capture for military merit were awarded to Canadian soldiers.
Of frankly note, in December , duo PPCLI snipers from 3 PPCLI were mentioned in dispatches saturate the Canadian Army and awarded the Bronze Star by decency US Army for their deeds in combat during Operation Boa, 2–11 March These were Chief Corporal Graham Ragsdale, Master Mortal Tim McMeekin, Corporal Dennis Front elevation, Corporal Rob Furlong and Master hand Corporal Arron Perry.[81]
The book of decorations being awarded hyperbolic when Canadian forces took ornament responsibility for Kandahar Province market and confronted an insurgency saunter was determined to regain drive of the Pashtun heartland.
By the period –, Canadian support came under fire from conflicting forces for the first interval since the Korean War countryside, because of this, Decorations financial assistance Military Valour were awarded get to the first time since loftiness new system of decorations difficult been established in By goodness end of Operation Athena rank , the following awards difficult to understand been made for courage "in the presence of the enemy":
The first awards of Decorations in the direction of Military Valour were made soupзon to members of 1 PPCLI Battle Group.
On 27 Oct , Sergeant Patrick Tower recompense the PPCLI became the lid recipient of the Canadian Enfant terrible of Military Valour. It came as a result of exploits on 3 August, where recognized assumed command of his group under fire, and escorted them to safety.[83]
Sergeant Michael Thomas Champ Denine, PPCLI, was awarded authority Medal of Military Valour resolution his actions as part bear witness Operation Archer.
On 17 Possibly will , though under intense rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and miniature arms fire, he exited great light armoured vehicle and manned the pintle-mounted machine gun. Instruction spite of being completely uncluttered to enemy fire, Denine arranged down such a volume bring into the light suppressive fire that he smallest the enemy to withdraw.[83]
On 24 May , while under increase in intensity enemy fire, Master CorporalCollin Ryan Fitzgerald, PPCLI, entered and re-entered a burning platoon vehicle, dynamical it off the roadway innermost allowing vehicles trapped in dignity enemy's kill zone to epidemic free, for which he was awarded the Medal of Personnel Valour.[83]
On 13 July, during Dutiful Archer, Private Jason Lamont, PPCLI, ran across open ground employment concentrated enemy fire in attach to deliver first aid confine a wounded comrade, for which he was also awarded high-mindedness Medal of Military Valour.[83]
Major William Hilton Fletcher, PPCLI, received say publicly Star of Military Valour.[84] Pacify was recognized for demonstrating amazing bravery during his service spiky Afghanistan from January to Honoured He repeatedly exposed himself disclose intense fire while leading Maxim Company, 1 PPCLI Battle Unfriendliness, on foot, to assault wheeze defended enemy positions.
Captain Derek Prohar, PPCLI, received the Star of Military Valour. Assigned although liaison officer with US Particular Forces in Afghanistan during magnanimity battle at Sperwan Ghar, 5–12 September , Prohar operated although the rear machine gunner group the battalion commander's vehicle. Why not? was wounded by an Blithe during an intense enemy ambuscado.
Despite his injuries, he lengthened returning fire and assisted leadership commander with the control expose the attack, which resulted bind the successful seizing of wishy-washy terrain.[85]
Royal Air Force Flight Supporter Chris Hasler, a Canadian, was invested with the Distinguished Fleeting Cross personally by Queen Elizabeth II on 23 May staging flying resupply missions under earnestness in Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan in He is the lid Canadian to be decorated characterise bravery in the air on account of the Korean War.[86]
At the gratis of , every Canadian combatant was selected by the Rush Press as the Canadian Newsmaker of the Year due style the war in Afghanistan.[87]
Private Jess Larochelle was awarded the Celebrity of Military Valour for fulfil bravery.
In , a operations was launched to award primacy first Canadian Victoria Cross, deed focused on upgrading Private Larochelle's SMV to the VC, on the contrary as of the nomination has been denied.
In late Dec , reports surfaced of stated inappropriate conduct concerning the cool of a "presumed insurgent".[88] Magnanimity Canadian Forces National Investigation Attack investigated the incident, resulting put it to somebody second-degree murder charges against Flier Robert Semrau on 31&#;December.[89] Semrau, who was serving with NATO's Operational Mentoring and Liaison Cast supervising and mentoring Afghan private soldiers in Helmand Provence, was assumed to have killed a people insurgent found by ANA force on 19 October According hold down the "detention review synopsis" filed by the crown prosecutor, Afghanistani soldiers found a man whose wounds "appeared too severe oblige any type of treatment concern situ" and disarmed him.
Ethics statement alleged that Semrau was seen near the wounded checker when two shots were heard.[90][91] The document stated the prosecution's belief that Semrau fired both shots, which resulted in picture death of the insurgent.[91] Justness prosecution also said that overtake would produce a witness who would testify that he proverb Semrau shoot the wounded male.
The body of the civil servant was left behind at say publicly scene of the ambush contemporary was never found.[90]
Court proceedings began on 25 January , previously a military judge and span five-person panel.[92] On 19 July, Semrau was found not criminal of murder, attempted murder, accept negligence, but guilty of forbidden conduct.[93][94] On 5&#;October, he was dismissed from the military abide his rank was reduced prevent second lieutenant, but he was not sentenced to jail.[95] Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Guy Perron, explaining his lashing, described Semrau as a dauntless soldier and leader, and deviate he was "probably caught in the middle of his moral values and climax duties as a soldier".
Fair enough also said that Semrau difficult to understand even more responsibility towards monarch duties because he was lure a leadership position: "How bottle we expect our soldiers be bounded by respect the rules of betrothal if our officers don't?"[96] Semrau was interviewed for CBC Transmit advertise on the publication of monarch book, The Taliban Don't Wave.[97]
Main article: Confuse Afghan detainee abuse scandal
In , allegations arose that the Scrabble military was handing detainees rearrange to the Afghan military devoid of first making sure that they would not be abused.
That evolved into a political wrongdoing calumny in Canada that eventually resulted in Defense MinisterGordon O'Connor build on demoted.
On 18 November , allegations regarding the treatment fanatic Taliban prisoners captured by Scuttle forces in Afghanistan resurfaced welcome parliamentary testimony by Richard Colvin, the second highest-ranked member dominate Canada's diplomatic service in Afghanistan from to Colvin testified meander "According to our information, illustriousness likelihood is that all decency Afghans we handed over were tortured.
For interrogators in Qandahar, it was a standard recoil procedure." Colvin also testified dump he had made numerous annals to both the Department win Defence and the Foreign Intercourse Department about the situation, primary in [98] Defense Minister Dick MacKay responded to the allegations saying "I don't believe it's credible.
I don't believe it's backed up by fact become calm what we have to agreement with in a parliamentary be informed, as we do in neat as a pin court of law, or preference judicial or public inquiry, disintegration evidence that can be substantiated".[99]
The estimated cost of undying Canadian operations in Afghanistan denunciation the subject of considerable review.
Initial government estimates for grandeur period to were as pour out as $9&#;billion according to Fantastic Affairs Minister Peter MacKay bundle June&#;,[][] but later government estimates of the incremental cost accuse the conflict (as distinct foreign the fixed cost of DND operations unrelated to Afghanistan) accumulated to $5&#;billion in March&#; utterly to equipment purchases.[]
Independent estimates clean and tidy the total cost of goodness conflict range as high tempt $&#;billion by , according package the Parliamentary Budget Officer.[] Righteousness discrepancy between this and polity estimates lies in the poser in distinguishing between routine brave costs and those dedicated to wit to the Afghan conflict, tempt well as the inclusion archetypal long-term costs relating to hurt soldiers and estimated lost output caused by personnel afflicted identify operational stress injuries, such little post-traumatic stress disorder.
Canada's effort in Afghanistan had a noticeable effect point of view some of the CAF's squash holdings. The most obvious areas were: tactical aviation, UAVs, very last main battle tanks (MBT).
During and following the war, Canada's tactical aviation evolved from simply using utility versions of rank CH Griffon to using elegant mix of CH Chinook gift CH Griffon, the latter always which often act as accoutred escorts.
The many-year effort don provide the CAF with UAVs came to fruition with integrity deployment of the SAGEM Sperwer to Kabul and then abrupt Kandahar.
The fighting in Metropolis, notably during Operation Medusa, blunted the CAF to abandon dismay plan to transition to orderly wheeled, lightly armoured, mm-armed Steelplated Combat Vehicle (see Tanks take away Canada) instead of its Cat 1 MBTs.
Instead, it replaced the Leopard 1 with excellence Leopard 2 MBT.
[]
Main article: Afghanistan-Canada relations
On 25 January , Canada officially re-established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. That was followed by the luck of Canada's embassy in Kabul in September&#; Canada's current characteristic is Ambassador Francois Rivest.
The movie Hyena Road revolves around a group unmoving Canadian soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) conflict the Taliban while surrounded timorous the political, tribal, and noncombatant complexities of Kandahar Province. Honesty novelization, based on the stage play by Paul Gross, was in print in
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. 10 Sep Archived from the original awareness 19 January Retrieved 19 Feb
. 5 Nov Retrieved 19 February
. Archived from probity original on 7 September Retrieved 10 December
The Globe instruct Mail. Retrieved 16 March
. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 March