The CBC Canada's national Media service has produced a well documented list of Canadian Operations in Afghanistan. Well worth the read for information and perhaps assist you in your thoughts of the Afghan Mission. Canadian troops in Afghanistan
There are currently three Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan.
The largest is Operation Athena with 2,500 troops. This is Canada's contribution to NATO's International Security Assistance Force. According to the Canadian Forces, this operation includes:
A battle group in Kandahar.
30 CF members with the Multi-National Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron in Kandahar.
300 CF members with the National Command Element in Kandahar.
300 CF members in the National Support Element in Kandahar.
250 CF members with the Theatre Support Element in southwest Asia.
Health Service Support personnel at the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar airfield.
The Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar of approximately 250 military and civilian personnel.
Other countries in ISAF:
Country Troops
Albania 22
Australia 970 +
Austria 4
Azerbaijan 22
Belgium 300
Bulgaria 200
Croatia 216
Czech Republic 89
Denmark 389
Estonia 130
Finland 100
France 1,900
Macedonia 130
Germany 3,000
Greece 171
Hungary 159
Iceland 20
Ireland 7
Italy 1,950
Latvia 40
Lithuania 115
Luxembourg 10
Netherlands 1,700
New Zealand 130
Norway 580
Poland 1,200
Portugal 150
Romania 900
Slovakia 57
Slovenia 51
Spain 800
Sweden 330
Switzerland 4
Turkey 1,200
United Kingdom 7,700
United States 12,000 The two other CF operations in Afghanistan are:
Operation Archer, 30 soldiers involved in training and in the transition of security responsibilities to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police as part of Canada's contribution to the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom.
Operation Argus, 15 members of the CF called the Strategic Advisory Team, which works with the Afghan government to develop national strategies.
According to Esprit de Corps magazine, an estimated 200 members of the secretive Joint Task Force Two were expected to conduct special forces operations in Afghanistan in 2006.
The number of Canadian soldiers who have served in Afghanistan is more than 13,500.
As of January 2008 77 Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. Also one non military death from External Affairs Department a civil servant. Mr Glyn Berry Cost of Canada's mission
The military costs for the mission in Afghanistan reached $2.6 billion in March 2007, or nearly $1.3 million per day of the mission. The costs are projected to reach about $4.3 billion by the planned end of the mission in February 2009.
Canada's spending for development in Afghanistan up to May 2006 was $466 million. By 2011, it is expected to reach $1 billion.
The Canadian Forces has spent over $1 million on funeral services for soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Other countries involved in ISAF
According to the International Security Assistance Force, there are 31,000 troops from 37 nations involved in the mission. (see table, right).
Troop numbers are based on broad contribution and do not reflect the exact numbers on the ground at any one time. Local forces in Afghanistan
Number of members of the Afghan National Police: 55,000.
Number of members of the Afghan National Army: 30,000.
Pay given to the ANA: $4 a day.
Pay given to part-time fighters for the Taliban: between $12 and $14 a day.
I am willing to bet that many Canadians really have no idea of the number of NATO troops that are actually in Afghanistan including 2 Commonwealth allies that are not NATO. Australia and New Zealand
I say well done to all the troops of all nationalities and wish them God Speed in their mission that they may return home safe and sound.
AnZac Soldiers. The Diggers
Please support our troops locally. The Great Canadian Game on Jan 25th at the PEI Ice Rink in Charlottetown The Rockets will be playing.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
