Afghanistan

Post Second World War

Date

12 September 2001 – 1 December 2011

Geographical parameters

Geographically defined as the land space of Afghanistan

Context

A theatre honour^{Footnote 1}

Description

On 11 September 2001 terrorists attacked targets in the United States, leading to condemnation by the United Nations and military action by the US and a coalition of other nations. The Americans launched Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) on 7 October with attacks against al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Afghanistan and interdiction operations in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waters (for the latter see the entry for the theatre honour “Arabian Sea”).

Canada’s initial actions within Afghanistan began in December 2001 as part of OEF with the deployment of special operations forces personnel. ^{Footnote 2} In February 2002 a Canadian battalion group based on 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was deployed under Operation APOLLO to southern Afghanistan as part of a US Army brigade combat team. The battalion group provided security at Kandahar Airfield and participated in combat operations in southern and eastern Afghanistan. During this period the Tactical Airlift Detachment flew transport missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. ^{Footnote 3}

The Canadian military returned to Afghanistan in August 2003, this time to Kabul with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), under the command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Designated Operation ATHENA, the Canadian mission deployed two battalion groups in succession, followed by three rotations of smaller reconnaissance, infantry, and support elements. Primarily, they provided security, conducted patrols, and gathered intelligence until the end of the mission in October 2005. ^{Footnote 4}

In August 2005 the Canadian military returned to Kandahar Province, initially under OEF command under the designation Operation ARCHER. This mission was two-fold, as Canadians assumed responsibility for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and, in February 2006, provided a battalion group for OEF combat operations. ISAF assumed responsibility for Regional Command (South) in July 2006 and the Canadian PRT and battalion group was transferred to NATO command as Operation ATHENA (Phase 2). Over the next five years, the PRT continued its efforts, several battle groups (based on Regular Force units and augmented by Reserve Force personnel) carried out stability operations, other personnel formed operational mentoring and liaison teams or filled support roles, while special operations forces personnel conducted counterterrorism operations. Tactical airlift from Camp Mirage continued and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and helicopter transport operations were undertaken. In July 2011 combat operations ceased, and Operation ATHENA closed out that December. ^{Footnote 5}

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units ^{Footnote 6}

• 1st Hussars
• 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s)
• 12e Régiment blindé du Canada
• 48th Highlanders of Canada
• 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
• 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron
• 429 Transport Squadron
• 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
• 436 Transport Squadron
• The Algonquin Regiment
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s)
• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
• The British Columbia Dragoons
• The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own)
• The Brockville Rifles
• The Calgary Highlanders
• The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own)
• The Canadian Grenadier Guards
• The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s)
• Canadian Special Operations Regiment
• The Cape Breton Highlanders
• The Essex and Kent Scottish
• Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic)
• Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific)
• The Fort Garry Horse
• Les Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
• Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent
• Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
• The Governor General's Foot Guards
• The Governor General’s Horse Guards
• The Grey & Simcoe Foresters
• Irish Regiment of Canada
• The King’s Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)
• The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment
• The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
• Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)
• The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)
• The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry)
• The North Saskatchewan Regiment
• The Nova Scotia Highlanders
• The Ontario Regiment (RCAC)
• The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)
• The Princess Louise Fusiliers
• The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment
• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
• The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
• The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
• The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)
• Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC)
• Le Régiment de la Chaudière
• Le Régiment de Maisonneuve
• Le Régiment du Saguenay
• The Rocky Mountain Rangers
• Royal 22e Régiment
• The Royal Canadian Dragoons
• The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)
• The Royal Canadian Regiment
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
• The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada
• The Royal Montreal Regiment
• The Royal New Brunswick Regiment
• The Royal Regiment of Canada
• The Royal Regina Rifles
• The Royal Westminster Regiment
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles
• The Saskatchewan Dragoons
• The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
• The South Alberta Light Horse
• Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
• The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own)
• Les Voltigeurs de Québec
• The West Nova Scotia Regiment
• The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)