Canada and our special forces

Good day,

I've used the advacne search tool with in ATS and to my surprise is there is no reference at all to the Joint Task Force 2 of the Canadian military.

There are many posts which talk about the SAS, FFL, NS, DF and many other special fighting forces. Yet I have yet to see a topic about the JFT 2.

If my post is in the wrong place I apologize and I hope a mod puts it where it needs to go.

The purpose of my post is to give those whohave an interest in the military aspect of special fighting forces and let them know there is one with in Canada.

Here is the offical link of the JTF 2 web site

www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca...

Enjoy and I wish you the best of luck trying to find anything on them.

Arcticnull




[edit on 2/25/0707 by Arcticnull]

Cool read. Didnt know about JTF 2 before. Dont know if youve seen these videos, but they are of Canadians in Afghanistan, dont know if is JTF2 or not. But they are cool videos none the less, shows the Canadian military in action.

Canadian Forces- Ambush

Canadian Forces- Dawn Raid

Canadian Forces- Firefight

Enjoy!!!

Thanks LudaChris,

I was in Afghanistan in 2002 so those videos bring some pretty vivid memories.

Just so you those videos you linked were not the JTF2. it's quite hard to find any videos or photos of them that are censored to the 9's. The only videos I've seen have been the "dog and pony" varriety.

Thanks again.

lol

our current force has to reply upon the US force for literally every major tasks

[edit on 2/26/2007 by warset]

I have one question for you warset.

Have you at any point in your life ever been a serving Regular Forces member of the Canadian Military?

Considering your retort you have no idea as to what our current and future capabilities are.

I didn't post this link to have people such as yourself take it lightly. It was so you might be able to have some pride with in our own military.

Arcticnull

Originally posted by warset
lol

our current force has to reply upon the US force for literally every major tasks

[edit on 2/26/2007 by warset]

Not true. The Canadians, while not a major force, can work along side the US in any theatre of combat if necessary. Their not toothless, they dont spend as much on military is all. They dont rely on us, but youd bet your ass if they were in trouble wed be there. And I hope they would do the same for us, when youre next door neighbors, thats how it is. The Canadians have some good troopers. You know the old saying, "Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog."

[edit on 2/26/2007 by ludaChris]

Thanks Luda,

What you've just embodies the true warrior spirit and warrior pride that both Canadian and U.S forces have fostered.

Again thank you.

I"ll keep away from the history lesson and let's get back to the topic.

The JTF2.

Originally posted by Arcticnull
Enjoy and I wish you the best of luck trying to find anything on them.

That's a slight understatement.

The Canadian Forces is incredibly tight-lipped when it comes to JTF2, which is completely understandable. I think many here on ATS would be surprised that JTF2 has been on at least one mission (that we know of) in Iraq.

Anyone remember this story: NEWS: Christian Peace activists Held Hostages Freed In Iraq? JTF2 was involved in the operation. This is one of the few times we actually found out where they were. It was British and Pentagon officials who let that cat out of the bag. Our government still says 'No comment, it's a matter of national security'.

While Canadian officials have yet to acknowledge JTF 2's participation, a source has said the force was "instrumental" in the final operation that freed the captives.

Pentagon and British military officials have said Canadian and British special forces took the reins of the ground operation.

Anatomy of the Baghdad hostage rescue

Another time we found out what JTF2 was up to is when a major paper in Canada published a photo of US soldiers in Afghanistan escorting prisoners. Only problem was they weren't US soldiers, they were JTF2 - the secret force that is so secret, nobody even recognizes them.

Outstanding Duzey,

I was wondering when someone was going to find the photos of the door kickers comming out of the herc. That was an interesting day to say the least, espically trying to off load one of our own hercs and have the US SP tell me I can't be on the apron.

Really well done.

Arcticnull

Thanks. I save all the JTF2 pics I come across because they are so few and far between. That picture caused the government a few problems.

Here's a couple more that I think are JTF2. Maybe you could let me know one way or the other?

Duzey,

The first photo is part of the "clothe the soldier" program as well as the Army Transformation program. The dead give away is the rifle being held by the solider.

If this was a JTF2 photo the face would covered completely and not just with cam paint.

www.army.forces.gc.ca...

The second photo is hard to determin. In the past the desert camo we had was one solid colour, tan. I'm not sure if the JTF2 have gone to the new Arrid CadPat uni or not. I doubt it as not to be confused with reg force members.

If you notice on the arm of the fellow pointing there appears to be some slight colouration to his uni. Not the standard tan the JTF2 use and it's not CadPat either.

As for the rifle in the back ground it looks like the standard M4 combo to me. Weapon guru's please correct me.

Again well done.

Arcticnull

It seems that canada's special forces aren't as well know as other countries. Here in the u.s canada is the butt of many jokes, but most ppl forget that canada has been with us in almost every conflict we've been in. I for one wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of canada's military. Thanks for the links,i learned a lot about you guys' sf. I have a few canadian friends,and here is their favorite joke picture.



All joking aside though, these guys
have my support any day.

Even though The Canadian Military is small, the butt of a lot of jokes, and way under funded I know I am very proud of our regular forces and special forces. No one ever speaks of them (JTF2) but they are very highly trained and I know for a fact in special forces circles are very respected.
We, Canada hold the record for longest sniper kill ever ( over a mile I believe) not sure if it was a JTF2 member.

Our snipers are requested all over the world and are known as the best in the world. The only sad thing about our military is that the men and women fighting in Iraq( denided by our government) have to fight under another countries flag.
My prayers are with our military and allthe other men and women fighting for our "freedom".

Plumber1,

You're right our military does hold the longest confirmed kill of a land based rifleman sniper in military record.

He wasn't part of the JTF2. That soldier was a Regular Force member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).

To the best of my knowledge the range was something like 2100-2300m.

I apologize to the 3VP sniper if I can't remember the exact distance.

PS,

spanishcaravan

The motors on our boats are not that big. Thanks for the props though
Get it, props.

Yeah....

Thank God I never joined the Navy,

Arcticnull

Originally posted by Arcticnull
If you notice on the arm of the fellow pointing there appears to be some slight colouration to his uni. Not the standard tan the JTF2 use and it's not CadPat either.

There is definitely a pattern. It's easier to see on the large picture, I resized it for the board. Thanks for the input on the pics.

Here's a couple from Haiti:




I added the yellow circles because I didn't really think I should show their faces to the world (even though somebody else already did). :shk:



edited to add both photos are credited to YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images - he deserves mention for his work.



[edit on 27-2-2007 by Duzey]

When I was I Somalia in the 90's the Canadian Airborne was on ground with us and they were some high speed operators, a class act. It is a shame that they were disbanded for the actions in Somalia. they were great men in a real bad place, the Mog sucked. I was there 14 months. I am glad our military didn't put us on trial for our actions.

Jasestrong2,

I wasn't a member of the CF in the early 90's when Somalia was at the forfront.

Many years latter the Canadian Airborn Regiment is still spoken of with high regard.

There was a great deal of politics behind the issue and as I grew up in the Army in the late 90's I leared a lot about what went on how the deep the situation ran.

It was explained in rather simple terms to me by a very hard core Sgt. The government was looking for a reason to shut the Airborn down. Unfortunately a few criminals gave the government it's excuse to do so.
What pissed the politicians off the most was that it never broke our Airborn pride.

Stg. Joe "Cock"

I was lucky to grow up being taught by those Airborn soldiers who remained a part of the CF.

Duzey...

I remember those photos.
I was never in Hati but I remember the "bru-ha ha" they created when they were released.

You're a JTF2 gold mine.

I was Airborne myself, it really hit home when your guys got the shaft, it changed my outlook on the military. I will remeber those hot east afican days with your troops.

Please drop me a line some time and we can swap Militayr stories.

Jason
[email protected]
www.iis-fl.com

I'd like to hear more of JTF2. I'm an Aussie and proud of SASR, 4RAR and others but would think your guys have a similar type of attitiude to this type of work. I've not served, but I'm interested and appreciate work these guys do to keep us safe. Do the Aussie and Canadian Military do much work together?
Cheers
Skippy

Good day,

I want to thank all of you, especially Duze, who have taken an interest in Canada's elite of the elite.

The kind words are very appreciated and it's nice to know that there is a genuine interest in what our soliders do on a regular and not so regular basis.

Skippy505,

I will continue to dig up some more information on the JTF, as I said it's very hard to find anything about them considering our own governement doesn't know where and what they are doing 90% of the time. Which is a good thing considering the soldiers of the JTF2 are world class and well respected with in the special fighting forces community.

I know that our two militaries do have joint exercises and officer exchange programs but to what extent I do not know the answer as I have never personally been part of either.
I have met some Aussie soldiers in my travels, they can drink almost as well as we can.

I found a little something on the pt requirments for the initial test for the JTF2. The information is a little dated but then again who knows what the real requirments are when your at the hill. Again this is comming from the newly revised Army Fitness Manual c2003-2004
Before starting the JTF2 program you must have reached Level 4 of the Army Fitness Manual Standard, after that come Levels 5-7 of JTF2, and the JTF2 Standard is Level 6, and Level 7 is JTF2 advanced)
=================================================

Aerobic:
2400m Run Std (min:s) L5=8:30-8:16 L6=8:15-8:00 L7=