Canadian Forces

I

Introduction

Canadian Forces, military forces responsible for defending the borders of Canada and protecting its citizens against harm. The Canadian Forces (CF) also represents Canada in international military operations and peacekeeping initiatives under the direction of the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other multinational bodies.

In 1968 Canada’s army, navy, and air force unified into a single entity—the Canadian Forces—with common entry and basic training systems. The CF is the only officially unified national armed service in the world. Its three basic components, Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, and Air Command, work together to provide a full range of military operations. Many CF personnel, such as soldiers with special training in logistics, medicine, food services, or communications, move freely from one component to another. Others remain part of their original command. For example, all pilots remain part of Air Command, even those who fly from ships.

The governor-general of Canada is the commander in chief of the CF, although in practice command is exercised by the federal cabinet. The minister of National Defence, acting on the governor-general’s behalf, manages and directs the CF from the joint civilian and military National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. The CF chief of staff acts as senior military commander, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CF. The deputy chief of staff coordinates military operations in conjunction with the chiefs of the Maritime, Land, and Air Commands.

II

Responsibilities

The CF has two primary responsibilities. First, it protects Canada in times of crisis, such as direct military threats or environmental disasters. Second, it promotes Canada’s global interests by cooperating in international military operations, including multilateral peacekeeping missions and initiatives to supply humanitarian aid to regions in need.

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A

Domestic Responsibilities

The CF’s most important role is to defend Canada against direct military threats. Although no nation has attacked Canada since German U-boats entered the St. Lawrence River during World War II (1939-1945), CF personnel train continuously and maintain warships, aircraft, and combat arms in case such threat arises. When riots or other forms of civil unrest threaten regional stability within Canada’s borders, local or provincial governments may call on the CF to help restore order.

The CF aids Canadian citizens during environmental disasters, such as floods or ice storms. Specially trained CF search and rescue personnel help people whose lives are in immediate danger and then transport them to hospitals as needed. When local or provincial governments request assistance, CF personnel help disaster relief agencies construct makeshift shelters and outfit these facilities with blankets, food, water, and other necessities. The CF may cooperate in local efforts to restore vital services, such as electricity and water, and to clear blocked roads and clean up flood or storm debris.

The CF protects Canada’s interests by patrolling its maritime economic zones, defined by international law as the waters between the coastlines and an imaginary line 320 km (200 mi) out to sea. Maritime patrols protect Canadian fisheries against poaching and intercept shipments of drugs or other contraband.

B

International Responsibilities

Canada promotes global peace and stability through participation in NATO and the UN, taking a leading role in peacekeeping efforts in particular. Canadian troops have served as peacekeepers in places such as Kashmīr (1949-1979) and Cyprus (1964-1993), and in the wars of Yugoslav succession (1991-1995). See United Nations Peacekeeping Forces.

The CF partners with the United States Air Force in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NORAD is a cooperative effort to protect Canadian and American interests in space and to defend against attacks by missiles, aircraft, and spacecraft. Working from headquarters located in an underground bombproof site on Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, Colorado, NORAD technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to interpret data collected by a network of sophisticated radar systems positioned across North America. When aircraft entering Canadian or U.S. airspace cannot be identified within two minutes, NORAD dispatches fighter jets to identify the intruders.

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