Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War
Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War

INTO AFGHANISTAN

Photo - Stephen Thorne / CP




Map of Afghanistan Beginning in 2001, Canadian soldiers joined United States-led coalition operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan as part of Operation Apollo, Canada's contribution to the "war on terror."

OPERATION HARPOON

"We came in to what could be called a 'hot landing zone.'
We were expecting to be shot at as soon as we landed."
Company Sergeant Major Tim Power, 27 July 2006


SWEEPING THE MOUNTAINS

On 13 March 2002, more than 500 Canadian soldiers landed on a ridgeline known as the "Whale's Back" as part of Operation Harpoon. It was the Canadian army's first ever battalion-level helicopter assault. Over five days, Canadians searched for remnants of Taliban and al-Qaida forces routed in earlier battles. Soldiers expected to see combat, but the enemy had already fled or perished.


READY FOR COMBAT - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press   SECURING THE LANDING - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press   TROUBLE SPOT? - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press
READY FOR COMBAT   SECURING THE LANDING   TROUBLE SPOT?
THE ENEMY - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press   WAITING FOR A RIDE - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press   THE MISSION ENDS - Photo: Stephen Thorne/Canadian Press
THE ENEMY   WAITING FOR A RIDE   THE MISSION ENDS

© Photos - Courtesy of Stephen Thorne and The Canadian Press