Canada and the Cold War
Canadian Armed Forces Argus patrol aircraft and submarine during a Cold War training exercise. Photo: Department of National Defence
For decades following the end of the Second World War, CAF members guarded against potential attack by Soviet bombers and submarines that probed our defences during the Cold War. The Cold War dominated the world’s international relations from the late 1940s until the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Domestically, a key organization that evolved during the Cold War, in addition to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). A joint American / Canadian organization, it is responsible for watching the skies over North America for potential threats.
As technology advanced throughout the Cold War, strings of radar stations were built across northern Canada to provide an early warning against potential attacks.
The Canadian Rangers
Canadian Ranger during a patrol in Nunavut in 2012. Photo: Department of National Defence
Indigenous military personnel fill a wide variety of roles, including serving with the Canadian Rangers. This group of army reservists is active predominantly in the North, as well as on remote stretches of our east and west coasts. The Canadian Rangers use their intimate knowledge of the land to help maintain a national military presence in these difficult-to-reach areas, reinforcing Canadian sovereignty in the north.
Canadian Armed Forces at Home
Photos of Canadian Armed Forces in Canada.
Operation NUNALIVUT
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Canadian Armed Forces personnel dig out fuel barrels from a snow-covered fuel cache in the Northwest Territories during Operation NUNALIVUT in April 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence RE2013-0012-048Cold War
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Canadian Armed Forces Argus patrol aircraft and submarine during the Cold War.
Photo: Department of National DefenceHMCS Corner Brook
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HMCS Corner Brook sails past an iceberg while on arctic patrol in 2007.
Photo: Department of National Defence HS2007-G025-006Quebec Ice Storm
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Canadian Armed Forces members helping to clean up in Quebec after the 1998 ice storm, which caused major power outages across various provinces.
Photo: Department of National DefenceSearch and Rescue
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A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hovers over the deck of HMCS Edmonton as search and rescue technicians are hoisted on board during an exercise off British Columbia in April 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence CX2013-0098-37Recovery Operations
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Canadian Armed Forces members performing recovery operations after crash of Swiss Air flight 111 in September 1998.
Photo: Department of National DefenceGriffon Helicopter
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A Canadian Armed Forces CH-146 Griffon helicopter flies over Vancouver in preparation for helping provide security for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2009-1027-14Hurricane Igor
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Canadian Armed Forces engineers building a bridge in a small village in Newfoundland and Labrador in the aftermath of Hurricane Igor in the fall of 2010.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2010-1020-05Royal 22e Régiment
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Two Royal 22e Régiment light armoured vehicles in a flooded street in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. May 2011.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2011-0005-23Paratroopers
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Canadian Armed Forces paratroopers prepare their gear inside a CC-177 Globemaster plane during Exercise PEGASUS SPEAR in November 2012.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2012-6016-087Alberta Flood
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Soldiers help the crew of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter evacuate people stranded in a provincial park during flooding in Alberta in June 2013.
Photo: Department of National Defence IS2013-3025-08Airbus
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A Canadian Armed Forces Airbus provides air-to-air refueling two CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft during Exercise VIGILANT EAGLE 13.
Photo: Department of National Defence FA2013-5100-10Related Information
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