Operation HALO

CF Commitment to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)

The Canadian Forces deployed about 500 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Haiti to assist the United Nations-sanctioned multinational force in bringing stability to the country. This CF commitment was named Operation HALO.

Task Force Haiti (TFH) deployed in early March 2004 as part of the United Nations Multinational Interim Force (MIF). Formed in late February, the MIF had a 90-day mandate to contribute to a secure and stable environment in Haiti, to facilitate the delivery of relief aid to those in need, and to help the Haitian Police and Coast Guard maintain law and order and protect human rights.

At the request of the United Nations, the Canadian Forces (CF) mission in Haiti extended beyond its initial mandate in order to permit Task Force Haiti (TFH) to assist in the expansion from the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) to the larger follow-on Mission des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti), or MINUSTAH.

The transfer from the MIF to MINUSTAH took place at a ceremonial parade held June 25, 2004 in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The Canadian soldiers and air force personnel of Task Force Haiti serving on Operation HALO changed their regular uniform headdress for the United Nations blue beret. Operation HALO remained operational until end-July and members returned to Canada by mid-August 2004.