Joint Task Force 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joint Task Force 2 |
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| Active | 1 April 1993 – present |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Special operations force |
| Role | Special operations Counter-terrorism |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | Canadian Special Operations Forces Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Ottawa |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Facta Non Verba, lit. 'Deeds not words' |
| Decorations | United States Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
MGen Peter Dawe OMM, MSM, CD |
| Insignia | |
| Head dress | Tan beret |
Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) is an elite special operations force of the Canadian Armed Forces. JTF2 serves alongside the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit and 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron as part of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. The unit is currently based at Dwyer Hill, near Ottawa, Ontario, and plans to move to a new facility to be built at CFB Trenton by 2019.
Serving as the centrepiece of Canada's special operations, JTF2 is primarily tasked with counter-terrorism operations but also specializes in direct action, hostage rescue, personnel recovery, and foreign internal defense. Much of the information regarding Joint Task Force 2 is classified, and is not commented on by the Government of Canada.
History
In 1992, Deputy Minister of Defence Robert Fowler announced he was recommending to Governor General that he disband the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) and create a new military counter-terrorism group.
In early 1993, the unit was activated with just over 100 members, primarily from the Canadian Airborne Regiment and Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. They were given the SERT facility on Dwyer Hill Road near Ottawa as their own base of operations, and permanently parked a Greyhound bus and a DC-9 aircraft on the grounds for use in training.
The federal budget of December 2001 allocated approximately $120 million over six years to expand unit capabilities and double its size to an estimated 600 personnel, as part of the overall plan following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
There has been much speculation in the Canadian media on possible JTF2 operational deployments. As of 2001, the unit had 297 members, but by the end of the year, with the War on Terror becoming a reality, the federal government announced their intentions to increase it to 600 members within four years.
As of 2014 the unit was believed to be in Iraq as training personnel, under the Canadian Operation Impact which is part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Canadian Government has not denied or confirmed JTF2's involvement.
War on Terror
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the American declaration of a War on Terror, approximately 40 JTF2 soldiers were sent to southern Afghanistan in early December 2001 to be part of Task Force K-Bar. The Canadian public was not informed of the deployment. Under Task Force K-Bar, JTF2 worked extensively with the 3rd Special Forces Group (United States).
In March 2002, JTF2 reconnaissance teams took part in Operation Anaconda. JTF2 also carried out numerous operations with the New Zealand Special Air Service among other numerous operations.
In 2004, an estimated 40 members of JTF2 serving with Task Force K-Bar were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by the U.S. government for service in Afghanistan. Very little is known on JTF2 operations in Afghanistan.
During a conference the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, stated that JTF2 was in "high demand" and that they were considered to be "world class". He went on to say that the unit was providing direct support to the Afghan government and was targeting the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan. He stated that "trying to help neutralize those leaders is a key part of their role and that's what they will continue to do."
