Canada’s Military Contribution to the International Coalition against Terrorism

October 8, 2001

Since September 11, Canada has been steadfast in its determination to stand by the United States and our allies in the fight against terrorism.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed in his address to the nation that Canada will contribute to the multi-national military coalition against terrorism.

This contribution will include significant navy and air force components, representing a total of over 2,000 men and women of the Canadian Forces.

Preparations for all military personnel involved have already begun. The first deployment will begin in the next few days and will continue over the coming weeks.

Navy Forces

• The Canadian frigate HMCS Halifax – currently with NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANFORLANT) with 230 personnel – will be directed to the Persian Gulf and will join a Canadian Naval Task Group with over 1,000 personnel.
• HMCS Halifax will be replaced in STANFORLANT by another frigate.
• The Canadian Naval Task Group will consist of two frigates, a destroyer, a replenishment ship and Sea King helicopters.
• An additional frigate, HMCS Vancouver, currently on the West Coast, will integrate a US Carrier Battle Group.
• It is crucial to note that the Canadian Navy has proven itself on many occasions in the past and has attained a level of interoperability with the US Navy that is second to none.

Air Force

• The Air Force will deploy both surveillance and airlift support into the region. Specifically, this component will be composed of three Hercules, one Airbus and two Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.
• Support will include providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people who have suffered for far too long from oppression and want.

Joint Task Force Two

• A component of our specialist force, Joint Task Force Two (JTF2), has been requested by the US and will contribute to the overall effort. However, for reasons of operational security, no further details will be provided as to the participation of JTF2.

Since the attacks, the Canadian Forces have been collaborating intensively with the United States on intelligence gathering and analysis, involving hundreds of CF members. And as part of our participation in NORAD, we have also increased our vigilance.

Ten days ago, our government authorized more than 100 Canadian Forces personnel serving in the United States and with other allied military forces to participate in any operations conducted by the host units in response to the recent terrorist attack.

The importance of the Canadian contribution to the coalition’s efforts, as requested by the US, is clearly an indication of the professional service that our men and women will provide in this sustained and difficult campaign against terrorism.

Military initiatives are part of a larger coalition campaign that also includes humanitarian, financial, legislative, diplomatic and domestic security efforts.

During this campaign, Canada will continue to contribute to NORAD and NATO.