1 Dec 11: Flag lowered as Canada's K'Har mission wraps up

[The Bread Guy]

Thought this rated a thread on its own for now 

The Maple Leaf flag that symbolized the Canadian Forces presence in Kandahar Province since August 2005 was lowered for the last time earlier today, in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield to mark the end of Canada’s military presence in southern Afghanistan, under Operation ATHENA.

“Over the past several years, Canada and the Canadian Forces played a significant role in establishing the security foundation in Kandahar Province that set the conditions for governance and development,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “I'm proud of the work of our men and women in Afghanistan's most dangerous province. Our commitment is now centred in Kabul, with our military contribution to the NATO Training Mission, which is building the professional capacities of the Afghan national security forces.”

Operation ATHENA was Canada's participation in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. It began in 2003 as a peace-support mission in Kabul, and in 2005 became a counter-insurgency mission focused in Kandahar Province. Canada’s commitment to ISAF in Kandahar Province ended in July 2011, when the last combat rotation of Operation ATHENA returned to Canada and the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF) deployed to close down what had become Canada’s longest-running combat mission.

“After more than six years of continuous combat operations, today we marked the official end of Operation ATHENA in Kandahar Province. Earlier this year, our task force conducted a seamless hand over of our area of responsibility to coalition and Afghan forces in the region. Our partners, thanks to the professionalism and service of our uniformed men and women, were well positioned to build on our progress and to continue reinforcing the safety and stability of southern Afghanistan,” said General Walt Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff. “While we mark the end of Operation ATHENA, we must also remember that there are 900 sailors, soldiers and airmen and airwomen still serving in northern Afghanistan in support of Operation ATTENTION. I'm very proud of the dedication, sacrifice, and service of all the men and women of the Canadian Forces who served with distinction in Afghanistan.” ....

CEFCOM Info-machine, 1 Dec 11

 

[Rheostatic]

Photos here.

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

Thanks for the link Rheo, good photos.
Not to hijack the thread, but I started watching some of the videos and I got a huge flashback.  The video http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np? brought back images of my Pl doing CLPs, that's even my compound we were based out of that they were prepping in.  Good times.

 

[jollyjacktar]

The compound looked strange without the monument there.  The photos saddened me somewhat, I wish I could have returned for one more tour.

 

[tomahawk6]

Corporal Pete Van Eyekeren of the Canadian Force's 463 Squadron holds the Canadian flag aloft from the CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft as it taxies to the hanger at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton November 30, 2011. The aircraft and crew of Task Force Canuck marked the end of deployment in Afghanistan with a round the world journey that began from their departure from Kandahar. Task Force Canuck formally ceased operations in Afghanistan on November 16.

Loadmaster Sergeant Ken Ryan of Canadian Force's 463 Squadron greets his daughter Jocelyn after his CC-130J Super Hercules landed at the Canadian Forces Base Trenton November 30, 2011. The aircraft and crew of Task Force Canuck marked the end of deployment in Afghanistan with a round the world journey that began from their departure from Kandahar. Task Force Canuck formally ceased operations in Afghanistan on November 16.

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

Joking portion of post: Must have been cold for him to hold that flag up all the way from Kandahar.

Serious portion of post: Nice pics, thanks for sharing!