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Period: to
Canada's mission in Afghanistan: 2001-2011
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Chretien's announcement
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal government announces that Canada will contribute troops to the international force being formed to conduct a campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan. -
Operation Apollo
Defence Minister Art Eggleton announces the launch of Operation Apollo, Canada's contribution to the U.S.-led operation in Afghanistan. Canada announces it will send 2,000 troops, six warships and six planes to the Persian Gulf. -
Commando unit arrives in Afghanistan
Forty troops from Joint Task Force 2 -Canada's elite commando unit -arrive in Afghanistan. They are the first Canadian soldiers to arrive in the country. -
Combat troops arrive
First regular combat troops from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry arrive in Afghanistan for a six-month mission. -
Friendly fire kills four
Four Canadian soldiers are killed in a friendly-fire incident after an American F-16 fighter dropped a laser-guided bomb on them during a training exercise. Sgt. Marc Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte. Nathan Smith are the first Canadian casualties in Afghanistan. -
Kabul headquarters
Canada takes command of the 3,600-strong international peacekeeping force in Kabul. -
Lt.-Gen. Rick Hillier takes command
Canadian Forces Lt.-Gen. Rick Hillier takes six-month command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, leading 5,500 soldiers from more than 30 countries. -
Moving to Kandahar
Approximately 250 Canadian soldiers take over the provincial reconstruction team based in Kandahar. -
Capt. Nichola Goddard killed
Capt. Nichola Goddard becomes the first female Canadian combat soldier to be killed when she dies during a firefight with Taliban insurgents. Later that day the House of Commons approves an extension of the Canadian deployment to Afghanistan until 2009. -
Four soldiers killed
Four Canadian soldiers are killed and nine others are wounded during fighting with Taliban insurgents outside Kandahar. -
Friendly fire death
Pte. Mark Anthony Graham is killed and more than 30 Canadian soldiers are wounded in a friendly fire incident after two U.S. warplanes accidentally strafe NATO forces. -
Six soldiers killed
Six Canadian soldiers are killed when a roadside bomb detonates near their armoured vehicle. Two more Canadian troops are wounded. It is described as the deadliest day in combat for Canadian troops since the Korean War. -
Deadly day in Panjwaii
Six Canadian soldiers and their translator are killed by a roadside bomb while riding in an armoured vehicle in Afghanistan's Panjwaii district. -
Mission extended
House of Commons votes to extend Canada's mission in Afghanistan until 2011. -
Michelle Lang killed
Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang is killed when the armoured vehicle she is riding in strikes a roadside bomb. Four Canadian soldiers are also killed in the attack. She is the first Canadian journalist killed in Afghanistan. -
Colonel killed
Col. Geoff Parker is killed after a car full of explosives drove into a NATO convoy. Parker, 42, is the highest-ranking Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. -
Captain dismissed
Capt. Robert Semrau is demoted and dismissed from the Canadian Forces after being convicted of disgraceful conduct for shooting a severely wounded Taliban fighter on an Afghan battlefield in October 2008. -
Combat role to end
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces the Canadian military presence in Afghanistan will continue in a non-combat role until 2014.
