Operation IMPACT

NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) is a non-combat mission. NMI is an advising mission on institutional reforms that seek in-depth change with, for and by Iraqi Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, contributing to build lasting security and stability.

NMI further enables Iraq Ministry of Defence (MoD) to build a military force that fulfills their strategic requirements for readiness through good governance, trusted leadership, and institutional efficiency, ensuring Iraq MoD and Armed Forces are a credible force trusted by Iraqis, capable to assert its sovereignty, and respected by its partners. Canadian contributions to NMI will continue under Op AMARNA.

CAF members served in key positions in Coalition headquarters around the Middle East.

Joint Task Force-IMPACT was responsible for:

• national command and control of Op IMPACT personnel and operations
• coordinating operations with the Coalition headquarters

The CAF operated a Joint Intelligence Centre as part of Joint Task Force-IMPACT. It gathered information from a variety of sources. It was responsible for collecting, synthesizing, and analyzing this information.

Air operations

Canada provided Tactical Airlift Support within the Middle East and OP IMPACT Joint Operations Area. RCAF Aircraft regularly participated in the safe and expeditious movement of cargo and personnel across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) to meet both coalition and Canadian air transportation needs.

Train, advise, and assist

Op IMPACT included highly-specialized CAF members from the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. They trained, advised and assisted the Iraqi security forces in developing their military skills. This support enabled the Iraqi security forces to take the fight to Daesh. As a result, they can work to remove the threat posed by Daesh in Iraq and the region and contribute to a more secure environment.

The CAF worked with regional partners to help make the region more stable and secure. Military cooperation helped prevent the spread of violent extremism. To that end, the CAF sent two training assistance teams, one to Jordan and one to Lebanon.

They worked closely with Canada’s Jordanian and Lebanese partners. The teams aim:

• Capacity-building with the Lebanese Armed Forces enhanced security and stability in the region by supporting their requests for trainers, advisors and mentors for key capabilities such as operations in winter and mountainous conditions as well as life-saving military first aid.
• Capacity-building with the Jordanian Armed Forces enhanced security and stability in the region by supporting their requests for trainers, advisors and mentors for key capabilities such as combat service support and assisting with the implementation of a gender perspective in military operations.

• Under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (CJTF-OIR), the Directorate of Strategic Communications (DSC) was responsible for the development and implementation of the OIR strategic narrative, and the alignment and synchronization of key leader engagements (KLEs). DSC was an international team comprised of military and civilian personnel from eight nations and led by a Canadian Colonel.
• Through their efforts across the Coalition in close coordination with Public Affairs, Information Operations (CJ39) and the Joint Visits Bureau, DSC shaped the information environment and reinforces the Coalition’s effects and credibility.