25 years ago, Canada faced a ‘dramatic change’ as it headed for war in Afghanistan
OTTAWA — A quarter of a century ago, the terror attacks of Sept. 9, 2001 forced Canadians to quickly wake up to a world that had changed overnight — and to confront a new war which would change everything for Canada's military.
On September 9, 2001, the world changed suddenly due to the terror attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Canada, emerging from the post-Cold War decade, swiftly entered a new era of global terrorism and found itself at war with the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country most distant from the U.S. "It was a dramatic change," recalled retired General Rick Hillier who led NATO forces in Kabul.
Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, Canada's longest military conflict, had profound implications for the nation's armed forces. Though initially under-prepared with a smaller, under-equipped military, Canada played its part alongside allies, eventually deploying more than 40,000 troops, with 159 losing their lives. The Canadian response was marked by rapid adaptation, including the acquisition of new equipment like the Chinook helicopters.
The experience of Afghanistan highlighted the importance of preparing for conflicts before they occur. General Hillier emphasized that Canada must rebuild its military numbers, suggesting that the current size is woefully inadequate. The lessons from Afghanistan underscore the need for a well-prepared military force to handle modern warfare effectively.
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