Canadian Forces Photos

A few photos from 2010:

Soldiers with Reconnaissance Squadron, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group during a dismounted patrol in the Panjwa’i District of Kandahar Province aimed to further develop knowledge of the area and continue to build positive relations with the locals.

In close cooperation with Afghan National Security Forces, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group provides security by conducting counter-insurgency operations throughout Panjwa’i District located south-west of Kandahar City. The Battle Group conducts partnered operations with the 2nd Kandak of the 1st Brigade, 205 Corps of the Afghan National army, Afghan National Police and the Panjwa’i District Governor in order to advance governance, reconstruction and security in the area.

Leopard 2A6M Main Battle Tank from The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and part of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, provides over-watch during recent operations in the volatile Panjwa’i and Zhari Districts of Kandahar Province. The sheer size and firepower of the Leopard 2A6M Main Battle Tank makes it a formidable force and a huge deterrent to enemy insurgents.

A row of Leopard 2A6M Main Battle Tanks from The Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) and part of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, prepares to depart a forward installation for recent operations in the volatile Panjwa’i and Zhari Districts of Kandahar Province. The sheer size and firepower of the Leopard 2A6M Main Battle Tank makes it a formidable force and a huge deterrent to enemy insurgents.

1 Royal Canadian Regiment (1RCR) Bravo Company (B COY) 5 platoon patrol in the Panjwaíi District.

Soldiers from Oscar Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, partnered with Afghan National Security Forces patrol though a grape field outside a small village in the Panjwa’i district.

Corporal Wright, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canada Regiment, November Company attached to the National Support Element and part of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, performs air century duty on the back of a Light Armored Vehicle III during a road move through Kandahar City.

Corporal Chris Turk, Oscar Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, performs air century duty on the back of a Light Armored Vehicle III.

In close cooperation with Afghan National Security Force, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group provides security by conducting counter-insurgency operations throughout Panjwa’i district located south-west of Kandahar City. The Battle Group conducts partnered operations with the 2nd Kandak of the 1st Brigade, 205 Corps of the Afghan National army, Afghan National Police and the Panjwa’i district Governor in order to advance governance, reconstruction and security in the area.

Warrant Adam Taylor, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER) 32 Troop Commander, communicates with a CH147 Chinook helicopter during an air insertion.

1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group conducted Operation TOPAK SHKAR (Pashtu for "Gun Hunter") in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces from October 27 - 28, 2010 in the Panjwa'i District. The aim of Operation TOPAK SHKAR was to disrupt insurgents and deny them freedom of movement.

Members of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) mentoring Kandak 4 of the 1st Battalion of the 205th Corps of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) conducte series of coordinated validation exercises between February 1st and 3rd 2011. The different units of Kandac 4 were all put to the test of executing a reconnaissance mission, conducting mine clearance tasks and executing live fire on a target in the vicinity of a Forward Operating Base in Panjwaíi District of Kandahar Province.

A Leopard 2A6M from 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12eRBC) conducts a road move on Route HYENA (Panjwa’i Road) in the Horn of Panjwa’i.

The Leopard 2 is providing security to an Afghan construction team that is widening and improving the existing dirt road, turning it into an all-weather paved road that is eight metres wide and 18 kilometres long. This road will help residents access economic centres for selling their produce, have better access to government services such as education and health care, and bring issues to the District Governor in a timely and efficient manner.

Soldiers from Bulldog Company, 1er Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group during Operation HAMAGHE SHAY in the Nakhonay Region.

Under Operation HAMAGHE SHAY, the Afghan National Army's 1st Brigade of the 205th (Hero) Corps, partnered with Task Force Kandahar to disrupt insurgent activity and increase security throughout Panjwa'i and Dand districts. This operation helps to set the conditions for successful and sustainable governance, development and peace, led by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

CF-188 Hornet fighters from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron Bagotville leave Trapani, Italy, on a mission over the Mediterranean on March 22, 2011.

The Canadian Forces will use six CF-188 Hornet fighters to contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011). This contribution enhances the support provided by Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Charlottetown deployed in the Mediterranean Sea with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1.

Thanks for posting such excellent photos Nem116!!

Canadian Forces soldiers during a clearing operation near the village of Nakhonay in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Saturday, April 9, 2011. The battalion-sized clearing operation consisted of Afghan, U.S. and Canadian ISAF military forces and was aimed at disrupting the insurgents' ability to mount an effective spring offensive in the insurgent hotbed of Panjwayi district in Kandahar.

Canadian and coalition troops gather at Kandahar Airfield to commemorate the life and sacrifices of Bombardier Karl Manning during a ramp ceremony.

Bombardier Karl Manning, from 5e Regiment d'artillerie legere du Canada based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec serving as a member of the 1er Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group was found dead from non-combat related wounds at approximately 5:30 a.m. local Kandahar time on 27 May 2011 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zangabad, located 45 Kilometers southwest of Kandahar Airfield.

Canadian Forces - Afghanistan

18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, Sergeant Jim Nobbs, sits back in his CH-146 Griffon helicopter seat after firing all of his M134D Dillon Mini Gun ammunition during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, sits back in his CH-146 Griffon helicopter seat after firing all of his GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun ammunition during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, Sergeant Jim Nobbs, obtains positive identification of a target from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a M134D Dillon Mini Gun during a training exercise at Texas Helo Range.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, Sergeant Jim Nobbs, obtains positive identification of a target from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a M134D Dillon Mini Gun during a training exercise at Texas Helo Range.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, Sergeant Jim Nobbs, fires on a target at Texas Helo Range from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a M134D Dillon Mini Gun during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, engages a target at Texas Helo Range from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan,Canadian Forces Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, Sergeant Jim Nobbs, obtains positive identification of a target from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a M134D Dillon Mini Gun during a training exercise at Texas Helo Range.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, engages a target at Texas Helo Range from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, leans out of the CH-146 Griffon helicopter to obtain positive identification on a target and engage it using his GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, engages a target at Texas Helo Range from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter using a GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun during a training exercise.




18 June 2011 Kandahar District, Afghanistan ,Canadian Forces Door Gunner, Sergeant Chad Zopf, leans out of the CH-146 Griffon helicopter to obtain positive identification on a target and engage it using his GAU-21 50-caliber machine gun during a training exercise.

I didn't know Popeye had Relatives in Canada... there is quite the family resemblance.

Note the "Darth Vader" mask, now in issue both Us Army and Canadian (It seems) Air crews officially called the Maxillofacial Shield it protects the flight engineers from debris kicked up by the rotor, dust and light small arms. And looks BAD! the sights used on the M3 and M134 are Actually not sights but rather a Anpeq2 laser pointer.
also note IR green Canadian Flag

Canadian Infantry Soldiers of November Company, 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment wait for pickup from North Tac Airfield, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Apr 15, 2011. The Canadians were participating in a CH-46 Long Range Raid of CH-46 Tactics 5, part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-11, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1.

CFB Shilo Manitoba Canada, 19 May 2011: Pte Zackery Myles watches his arcs of fire from a stage 3 trench in the defensive position.

The Basic Military Qualification BMQ (L) is conducted at the Land Force Western Area Training Center det Shilo. Soldiers from non combat trades such as cooks, truck drivers, communications, learn basic soldier skills during a 4 week period before they are off to their trade specific training, Qualification 3 level.

Corporal D’Amour, Sapper Goodall-Copestake and Master Corporal Chris Wessel, Canadian Forces Combat Engineers with members of the Afghan National Army prepare to detonate an insurgent cache found during Operation OMID ATAL 09 (Hope and Victory).

This operation saw the Afghan National Army’s 1st Brigade of the 205th (Hero) Corps, under the command of BGen Ahmed Habibi, take a leadership role and partner with Task Force Kandahar, under the command of BGen Dean Milner, to conduct security operations throughout Panjwa’i and Dand districts of Kandahar Province.

Task Force Kandahar will continue robust security operations in conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Afghan National Security Forces, and its coalition and civilian partners in order to eliminate insurgent violence and set the conditions for successful and sustainable governance, development and peace in southern AfghaAfghanistan.

Lieutenant Loic Baumans, a Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Operator, and Corporal Jean Francois Belzil of “Lucky 13” Platoon, A-Company, 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment are on patrol during Operation OMID ATAL 09 (Hope and Victory).

This operation saw the Afghan National Army’s 1st Brigade of the 205th (Hero) Corps, under the command of BGen Ahmed Habibi, take a leadership role and partner with Task Force Kandahar, under the command of BGen Dean Milner, to conduct security operations throughout Panjwa’i and Dand districts of Kandahar Province.

Task Force Kandahar will continue robust security operations in conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Afghan National Security Forces, and its coalition and civilian partners in order to eliminate insurgent violence and set the conditions for successful and sustainable governance, development and peace in southern Afghanistan.

Canadian Forces soldiers from the Royal 22e Régiment during operations in Panjwa’i District to clear several small villages and compounds.

OP CRAZY FLIGHT 1 is one of the last operations for Royal 22e Régiment, Charlie Company before the Canadian Forces ends its mission in the Southern region of Afghanistan.

Rapid Trident 2011

A Ukrainian Officer from the 80th Airmobile Regiment instructs Master Corporal Stéphane Lafrance, Paratrooper from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, during in-flight procedure training on the Ukrainian Basic Parachute Training Course in Lviv, Ukraine.




Corporal Steven Paquette prepares to jump off the MI-8 Helicopter mock-up simulator during the Ukrainian Basic Parachute Training Course in Lviv, Ukraine. Cpl Paquette is a Paratrooper from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, Valcartier Garrison




Canadian Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, practice landing techniques from a five foot platform during the Ukrainian Basic Parachute Training Course in Lviv, Ukraine.




Lieutenant Jacob Porter, Paratrooper from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, practices landing techniques from a five foot platform during the Ukrainian Basic Parachute Training Course in Lviv, Ukraine.




Ukrainian instructors from the 80th Airmobile Regiment explain Ukrainian in-flight procedures to Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment.




A Ukrainian Captain and instructor from the 80th Airmobile Regiment performs overall safety checks on Master Corporal Pierre-Olivier Brochu, Paratrooper from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment before doing the MI-8 Helicopter mock-up parachute simulator in Lviv, Ukraine.




Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, verify each other’s parachute systems before training with the Ukrainian 80th Airmobile Regiment in Lviv, Ukraine.




Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, line up prior to training with the Ukrainian 80th Airmobile Regiment in Lviv, Ukraine.




A Ukrainian Major and instructor from the 80th Airmobile Regiment checks over Captain Robert Colbourne’s parachute harness with assistance from Major Marc-André Gélinas. Captain Colbourne and Major Gélinas are Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, Valcartier Garrison.




A Ukrainian Senior Sergeant and instructor from the 80th Airmobile Regiment, checks over the parachute harness of Corporal Sébastian Caron, Parachute Rigger from Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre, Canadian Forces Base Trenton.




Corporal Steve Gamache and Cpl Stéphane Pelletier make adjustments to their parachute harness before training on the MI-8 Helicopter mock-up simulator during the Ukrainian Basic Parachute Training Course in Lviv, Ukraine. Corporal Gamache and Corporal Pelletier are Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, Valcartier Garrison.

The PPF course is run by CFLAWC, located at CFB Trenton, ON. The aim of the PPF course is to enable Pathfinder personnel to execute insertion/extraction techniques by air, land, and sea in the context of adaptive dispersed operations in hostile environments; to enable personnel to perform the tactical marking and securing of a Drop Zone (DZ), Landing Zone (LZ), and Beach Heads, as well as Airstrips used for Tactical Airlift Operation for followon forces; and to enable qualified Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and officers to plan, coordinate, conduct, and advise commanders on PPF Operations.

CFLAWC delivers basic and advanced training in such subjects as Mountain and Jungle Operations, Aerial Delivery, Helicopter Operations, Rigger, Round and Square Parachuting, Military Freefall, DZ/LZ Controller, and Basic Winter Warfare.

Candidates of the Patrol Pathfinder (PPF) Course, Session 13, disembark from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2011. Session 13, which is headed by course director Captain (Capt) Mover of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC), began on 16 May 2011 with 17 candidates, and is 60 training days long.




A candidate of the Patrol Pathfinder (PPF) Course, Session 13, relaxes after the instructors call End Exercise (End Ex) during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2011. Session 13, which is headed by course director Captain (Capt) Mover of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC), began on 16 May 2011 with 17 candidates, and is 60 training days long.




A candidate of the Patrol Pathfinder (PPF) Course, Session 13, takes up a fire position and conducts security after disembarking from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2011. Session 13, which is headed by course director Captain (Capt) Mover of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC), began on 16 May 2011 with 17 candidates, and is 60 training days long.




A candidate of the Patrol Pathfinder (PPF) Course, Session 13, conducts a navigation (nav) check after disembarking from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2011. Session 13, which is headed by course director Captain (Capt) Mover of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC), began on 16 May 2011 with 17 candidates, and is 60 training days long.




A candidate of the Patrol Pathfinder (PPF) Course, Session 13, patrols the last few meters before the instructors call End Exercise (End Ex) during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden in Ontario, Canada on 28 July 2011. Session 13, which is headed by course director Captain (Capt) Mover of Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC), began on 16 May 2011 with 17 candidates, and is 60 training days long.