In the years since the Second World War there has been a major evolution in the Canadian Forces. Gone is the massive standing army, the formidable naval fleet and the air force.

Today, Canada's military is lean, even by modern standards, with 60,000 regular troops and 20,000 reserves, although the new Conservative government has promised to increase both the regular and reserve forces.

Currently, there are more than 3,000 Canadian Forces personnel stationed on missions abroad. They range in size from one-person commitments to Cyprus and Senegal, to the approximately 2,300 soldiers stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The names and locations of Canadian Forces operations abroad.

Afghanistan

A Canadian peacekeeper on patrol in Afghanistan. Image courtesy ISAF

Operation Athena, 2,286

The operation is Canada's contribution to NATO's International Security Assistance Force. This operation includes the Canadian battle group of about 970 troops based in Kandahar. It also includes support personnel, such as combat engineers and health services units, and the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

» Visit the DND website for more information

Operation Archer, 35

This operation is part of Canada's contribution to the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom. Canadian Forces personnel are involved in training and in the transition of security responsibilities to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

» Visit the DND website for more information

Operation Argus, 15

A group of Forces personnel called the Strategic Advisory Team that works with the Afghan government to develop national strategies.

» Visit the DND website for more information

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Persian Gulf

Operation Altair, 237

HMCS Ottawa, a Halifax-class patrol frigate, left Esquimalt, B.C. on Sept. 10, 2006 for the Persian Gulf. The ship is expected to join the U.S.-led strike group in November as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ship and its Sea King helicopter detachment is expected to conduct patrols and perform training exercises with other members of the coalition there.

» Visit the DND website for more information

Iraq

Operation Iolaus, 1

One Canadian officer is attached to the UN's Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)

» Visit the DND website for more information

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U.S./Bahrain

Operation Foundation, 8

Canadian Forces personnel work at the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Fla., and Bahrain to keep abreast of intelligence related from the CENTCOM’s areas of operations including the Horn of Africa, the northern Red Sea, south and central Asia and Iraq.

» Visit the DND website for more information.

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Haiti

Operation Hamlet, 4

Three officers deployed to the UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince, in senior positions at the headquarters of the UN mission in Haiti.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Bosnia-Herzegovina

Canadian Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina prepare to destroy some 36,000 kilograms of munitions in July 2003. Image courtesy SFOR

Operation Boreas, 11
A support group for the European Union Force during the transition of the mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina from NATO to the European Union.

Visit the DND website for more information.

Operation Bronze, 9

A support group for the NATO Stabilization Force during the transition of the mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina from NATO to the European Union.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Golan Heights

Operation Gladius, 3

Acting as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force primarily, this is an observational group to ensure the ceasefire agreement is maintained between Israel and Syria.

» Visit the DND website for more information

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Cyprus

Operation Snowgoose, 1

The remnant of what was once a battalion-sized Canadian force to monitor the ceasefire between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Jerusalem

Operation Jade, 7

Canada's longest-running overseas commitment, Operation Jade is Canada's contingent of military observers assigned to observe and maintain the ceasefire between Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

Visit the DND website for more information.

Operation Proteus, 3

Three Canadian officers are attached to the Office of the United States Security Coordinator (USSC). The USSC encourages and supports Israeli-Palestinian security co-ordination related to Israeli disengagement from Gaza and the West Bank.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Sinai

Operation Calumet, 28

Canada's contribution to the non-UN force of observers in the Sinai.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Operation Crocodile, 9

Officers working with the UN in Kinshasa and Kisangani to enforce the 1999 ceasefire agreement between DRC and five adjoining states.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Sierra Leone

Operation Sculpture, 11

Since 2000, this has been Canada's contribution to the British-led military advisory unit in Sierra Leone.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Sudan

Operation Safari, 32

Two Canadian officers sent to support the United Nations mission in Sudan as members of the international advance party.

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Operation Augural, 12

Canadian advisory staff for the African Union mission to provide security and stabilization in the Darfur region.

Visit the DND website for more information.

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Maritime operations

Operation Sextant, 309

A Canadian naval vessel is part of the NATO Maritime Group squadron consisting of destroyers and frigates from the alliance nations.

» Visit the DND website for more information