Canada Commits to Afghanistan

On 7 October 2001, less than a month after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the United States and the United Kingdom launched Operation Enduring Freedom to dismantle the Al-Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan and to remove the Taliban regime from power. On the same day, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that Canada would contribute air, land and sea forces to the international campaign against terrorism. The Canadian contribution to the mission was Operation APOLLO and 3 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) would be the first Canadian Army unit to conduct active operations in February 2002.