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Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

The role and usage of Special Operations Forces (SOF) expanded considerably with changes to the security environment after the Cold War. Asymmetric opponents have become more prominent. Counterinsurgency techniques have become more relevant. Force alone does little to resolve conflicts. In this environment, the use and employment of SOF has contributed greatly to the conduct of the war and in some instances it is the force of choice.

The mission of CANSOFCOM is to provide the CDS and operational commanders with agile, high-readiness Special Operations Forces capable of conduction special operations across the spectrum of conflict at home and abroad. The successful conduct of special operations relies on individual and small unit proficiency in a multitude of specialized, often non-conventional combat skills applied with adaptability, improvisation, innovation, and self-reliance. The small size, unique capabilities, and self-sufficiency (for short periods of time) of SOF operational units provide Canada with agile, adaptive, appropriate, scaleable and rapid military responses.

CANSOFCOM is composed of the Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2), the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS), and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CJIRU - CBRN). CANSOFCOM core tasks are as follows:

1. Counter-Terrorism (CT) Operations - offensive and defensive measures taken to prevent, deter, pre-empt and respond to terrorism;
2. Maritime Counter-Terrorism (MCT) Operations - CT operations within the extremely complex maritime environment; and
3. High Value Tasks (HVT) - other missions, at home or abroad, kinetic or non-kinetic, that may be assigned by the Government of Canada: counter-proliferation; special reconnaissance; direct action; defence, diplomacy and development; and non-combatant evacuation operations.

CANSOFCOM contributes to the defence of Canada through three core strategic capabilities:

1. CANSOFCOM is the CF lead for counter-terrorism response both domestically and abroad;
2. CANSOFCOM is globally focussed to help shape the operational environment; and
3. CANSOFCOM is organized into quick reaction, rapidly deployable special operations task forces.

CANSOFCOM fully participates in the primary CF mission of providing for the defence of Canada. It does so by seeking to defeat terrorist threats to Canada by providing CT forces capable of operating in all environments. These forces are organized, equipped and trained not only to be responsive but also to serve as a deterrent. Through interagency liaison, discussion and training CANSOFCOM seeks to enable and assist other government departments where appropriate in CT planning and action. In conjunction with other elements of the CF, CANSOFCOM operations in Canada strive to achieve the following objectives:

1. to assist, establish and maintain Canadian sovereignty;
2. to organize, enable and improve surveillance on marked threats;
3. to conduct discrete and overt surveillance;
4. to persuade or deter others from inappropriate activity on Canadian territory; and
5. where necessary to disorganize, disrupt, degrade or deny others from inappropriate actions on Canadian territory.

CANSOFCOM also contributes to the overall defence of Canadian national interests by conducting operations abroad in support of CF conventional forces and on discrete and separate operations that support Government of Canada objectives. CANSOFCOM provides strategic flexibility to tailored responses to a complex strategic environment. The high readiness, skill level and deployability of its special operations task forces allow for rapid and determine response but also serve as a building block for follow-on forces when necessary. CANSOFCOM provides forces that can deter and disrupt violent organization either in support of conventional operations or on discrete missions. CANSOFCOM forces can assist partners to upgrade their CT capabilities. In general terms, CANSOFCOM operations abroad strive to achieve the following:

1. to destroy, disorganize and disrupt the networks of violent organizations;
2. to degrade and deny access of violent organizations to population; and
3. to construct social networks to promote legitimacy of efforts; and to organize, enable and improve partners tactical and operational skill in CT.

The effects that CANSOFCOM can deliver are keyed to its unique capabilities. First, selected components of the Command are constantly on high readiness alert in order to provide an agile and timely response. Second, CANSOFCOM can provide the highly skilled special operation task forces to conduct high-risk kinetic or non-kinetic missions that have major strategic ramifications such as hostage rescue or special reconnaissance for operational planning and decision-making. Third, CANSOFCOM contains a baseline capacity to mitigate the results and deter the use of weapons of mass effect (WME). Fourth, it facilitates the engagement with allied organizations in the fight against terrorism, as well as providing assistance to nations seeking to build SOF capacity to provide their own internal defence. Finally, CANSOFCOM missions can set the parameters for theatre activation or shape the battlefield for conventional operations.