| September 11, 2001 |
Suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda take place in the United States. |
| October 7, 2001 |
On the same day that the United States begins operations against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Canada announces that it is prepared to contribute sea, land and air forces to America’s Operation Enduring Freedom under the Canadian operation named OP APOLLO. |
| October 9 2001 |
The first Canadian asset, HMCS HALIFAX, already at sea with the NATO Standing Force Atlantic, is directed to detach from this force and proceed to the Arabian Sea. Halifax begins counter-terrorism operations as part of Operation APOLLO on 2 November. Halifax is joined by two more frigates, a destroyer and a replenishment ship, bringing the Canadian Task Group to full strength. HMCS Vancouver is also in theatre as part of an American Aircraft Carrier Battle Group. |
| Late-2001 |
First Canadian Special Forces members arrive in Afghanistan. |
| February 2002 |
First elements of the Canadian Battalion Group based on 3 PPCLI arrives in Afghanistan and becomes an integral part of the 187th Brigade Combat Team of the US 101st Airborne Division. |
| August 2003 |
Canada contributes combat forces to the ISAF mission in Kabul as part of Op ATHENA. |
| February 2004 |
Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier, assumes command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| August 2005 |
CAF operating under Op ATHENA in Kabul begin transitioning to Kandahar Province. |
| August 2005 |
Canada assumes leadership of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team. Approximately 350 military, police, foreign affairs, correctional services and development personnel assist Afghans with the provision of governance, security and development. |
| January 2006 |
CAF members begin conducting combat operations in Kandahar as part of Op ATHENA. At its height, nearly 3,000 CAF members were deployed at any one time in Kandahar. For more than five years, CAF members operated as part of a multinational force.CAF members begin conducting combat operations in Kandahar as part of Op ATHENA. At its height, nearly 3,000 CAF members were deployed at any one time in Kandahar. For more than five years, CAF members operated as part of a multinational force. |
| February 2006 |
Canadian medical personnel assume command of the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield. Canadians would remain in command until 2008 and medical personnel continued to serve until December 2011. |
| February 2006 |
Brigadier-General David Fraser assumes command of the Multi-National Brigade (Regional Comand South), based in Kandahar as part of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| August 2006 |
The first Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) deploys to Kandahar. OMLTs worked with Afghan soldiers and police to deliver individual and group training, to mentor leaders at every rank level, and to provide liaison with ISAF forces in partnered operations. |
| January 28, 2008 |
The Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan (commonly known as “The Manley Report”) is published. |
| February 2008 |
Major-General Marc Lessard assumes command of Regional Command (RC) South in Kandahar as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| June 2008 |
Canada establishes six strategic priorities and three signature projects that will guide its whole-of-government Afghanistan engagement until 2011. |
| December 2008 |
The Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing deploys to Afghanistan to provide air mobility support to coalition troops, as well as airlift, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. It stood down in August 2011. |
| November 16, 2010 |
Government of Canada announces Canada’s role in Afghanistan until 2014 based on four priorities: education and health; security; regional diplomacy; and humanitarian assistance. |
| May 2011 |
Operation ATTENTION begins – Canada contributes the second-largest contingent to the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan which delivers training and professional development support to the national security forces of Afghanistan. |
| July 2011 |
Canada ceases combat operations in Kandahar. The Mission Transition Task Force arrives in Afghanistan to prepare, repair, pack and ship vehicles, equipment and material elsewhere in Afghanistan or back to Canada. |
| December 2011 |
Op ATHENA ends – MTTF completes mission closeout activities in Kandahar. |
| June 18, 2013 |
The fifth and final tranche of transition is announced. Afghan national security forces assume security across the whole country with coalition forces providing support. |
| June 2013 |
The final rotation of CAF members to Afghanistan begins deploying, including the mission closure team to pack-up and recover equipment to be returned to Canada. |
| March 2014 |
Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan ends. |
