On 11 September 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes in the United States. They crashed two planes into each of the World Trade Center towers in New York City, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth, which had targeted the White House, crashed in rural Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people died as a result of this coordinated attack. Evidence suggested the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, was responsible.
The extremist regime in Afghanistan had provided sanctuary to Al-Qaeda. The regime, led by extremists known as the Taliban, refused to extradite bin Laden and his followers. In response, the United States formed an international coalition to use force against the Taliban regime. Its goal was to end this safe haven for terrorists, stabilize Afghanistan and help its people after years of conflict and oppression.
More than 40,000 Canadians would serve in the region. This would become the largest deployment of our troops since the Second World War. The conflict lasted more than 12 years— the longest in Canada's history.
Afghanistan stages
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Photo Gallery
Canadian Armed Forces members carrying the casket of one of their fallen comrades during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan in September 2006. Photo: Department of National Defence AR2006-G020-010
Canadian Armed Forces door gunner in a CH-146 Griffon helicopter during a training exercise in Afghanistan in June 2011. Photo: Department of National Defence IS2011-1023-11
Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan posing with special guest Don Cherry in December 2010. Photo: Department of National Defence AR2010-0415-41
A Canadian Armed Forces medical officer giving a check-up to a child in Afghanistan in March 2010. Photo: Department of National Defence AR2010-0043-07
A Canadian soldier standing watch during a visit to a village in Afghanistan in March 2007. Photo: Department of National Defence IS2007-1018
Afghanistan
Order of Events
11 September 2001
Deadly Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks take place in the United States
7 October 2001
Canada pledges support to international efforts to combat terrorism. The CAF launches Operation APOLLO
December 2001
Canadian special forces soldiers arrive in Afghanistan
Mid-2003
Canada begins contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as part of Operation ATHENA
9 February 2004
Canada's Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier assumes command of the ISAF in Afghanistan
August 2005
Canada assumes leadership of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team
September 2006
Canada leads Operation MEDUSA, the largest Canadian combat operation since the Korean War
May 2011
Operation ATTENTION begins as Canadians start to train the national security forces in Afghanistan
March 2014
Canada's military mission in Afghanistan ends