NR - 10.027 - April 8, 2010
OTTAWA – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced in Kabul that the Government of Canada is committing up to 90 additional personnel, primarily to support the training of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Of this increased contribution, the majority will augment the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A), while the remainder will provide increased support within Joint Task Force – Afghanistan and ISAF headquarters, until the end of Canada's mission in 2011.
"The Government of Canada is proud to contribute additional Canadian Forces personnel to prepare Afghans, in order to build a stable, strong, and peaceful nation which they deserve," said Minister MacKay, while in Kabul. "This increased role showcases the professionalism of the Canadian Forces as mentors and trainers to our Afghan allies."
The Canadian Forces contribution to training programs supports the Government of Canada's key priorities in Afghanistan, notably building ANSF capacity to take on increased responsibility in operations as the CF prepares for the drawdown of the military mission in 2011. With this initiative, the Government of Canada continues to lay the groundwork for a more secure environment by providing the support necessary to ensure Afghans have the capacity, training, and capability to assume responsibility for their own security.
Canada is in Afghanistan with some 60 other nations and international organizations, at the request of the democratically elected Afghan government and as part of a UN-mandated, NATO-led mission. There are currently 2,830 CF personnel deployed in Afghanistan.
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For more information: For more information contact the Media Liaison Office at 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353 or www.forces.gc.ca
