Canada
 Contributed
the first coalition Task Group to arrive in CENTCOM AOR.
Canada
currently has 2,100 personnel in the CENTCOM AOR (1,100 land, 200 air
and 800 naval personnel). To date, 3,400 personnel have deployed in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
The
Canadian Naval Forces have been engaged in Maritime Interception
Operations, Leadership Interdiction Operations (LIO), escort duties
and general maritime surveillance between the North Arabian Gulf and
the North Arabian Sea. Seven ships deployed to OEF from October 2001
to April 2002.
Canadian
Air Force CC 150 Polaris (Airbus) and three CC130 (Hercules) aircraft
have conducted strategic and tactical airlift. They have moved more
than 10.4 million pounds of freight to date.
Two
CP 140 Aurora (P3C) aircraft are employed in MIO/LIO as part of
Carrier Task Force 57. Eighty-four missions and 746 flight hours have
been logged to date. Organic helicopter assets have flown 930 missions
for more than 2,900 hours.
Special
Operations Forces are currently in Afghanistan performing the full
spectrum of missions.
HMCS
TORONTO, while operating in the North Arabian Sea, intercepted a small
vessel laden with 4,500 pounds of hashish (valued at more than $60
million). Its crew abandoned the vessel during the interception. The
cargo and vessel were subsequently destroyed.
Canada’s
Light Infantry Battle Group has deployed as part of TF Rakkasan with
828 personnel and 12 COYOTE armored reconnaissance vehicles. These
forces have been deployed to Qandahar for security and combat
operations. Their successes to date:
- They lead Operation Harpoon from March 13-16, 2002. Investigated
30 caves and four mortar positions. Action resulted in three enemy
KIA.
- They conducted patrol on March 18, 2002 in the Kandahar region
that uncovered a cache of weapons (including three thermobaric
launchers).
- They are continuing to conduct Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC)
efforts in the Kandahar area.
- They provided the Quick Reaction Force which deployed from
Kandahar to secure the site of Apache helicopter which crashed on
April 10, 2002.
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