Joint Task Force Central (JTFC)

Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) is one of six regional joint task forces of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The task forces are situated in key locations across Canada. They conduct CAF continental operations.

JTFC Headquarters

JTFC has its headquarters in Toronto. The JTFC Commander also commands 4th Canadian Division (4 Cdn Div). The Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. The Trenton Search and Rescue Region falls under Commander 1st Canadian Air Division.

JTFC area of responsibility (AOR)

JTFC is responsible for leading CAF continental operations in the Province of Ontario. This includes its territorial waterways. Ontario is home to more than 13 million people. It is Canada’s largest province in terms of population. It is the second largest in terms of both landmass and waterways.

Command and tasking authority

The JTFC Commander directs the CAF response anywhere in the AOR, if help is requested. This applies to:

  • any request for CAF intervention for disaster relief;
  • any request for CAF support in critical incidents; and
  • any request for search and rescue services.

A request for CAF help may come through/from:

  • Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC);
  • CJOC’s partners in operations; and
  • provincial and territorial governments in the JTFC area of responsibility.

The JTFC Commander has the authority to form mission-appropriate task forces. This includes tasking any and all CAF resources held in the Province of Ontario by the:

  • Royal Canadian Navy;
  • Canadian Army; and
  • Royal Canadian Air Force.

JTFC operations

The CAF maintains a continuous watch of the AOR through JTFC. It does so to maintain full awareness of security and defence conditions in:

  • the province of Ontario; and
  • its territorial waterways.

The most recent JTFC contingency operation was Op LENTUS 15-01 in 2015. A JTFC task force supported the Province of Ontario during this mission. The CAF helped residents of Kashechewan who were affected by spring flooding. RCAF rotary wing assets were placed on standby. They were prepositioned close to the flooded region. This was done to back up provincial air evacuation, based on need. Canadian Rangers from the affected communities also helped with the voluntary evacuation.

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