Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States, Canada became the third-largest contributor to the NATO-led (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) invasion of Afghanistan, behind the United States and the United Kingdom. The Canadian Forces immediately deployed its elite special operations unit Joint Task Force Two. It was used in a vital role in calling airstrikes and directly confronting Al-Qaeda and Taliban positions. Of the approximately 15,000 Canadian troops who have been stationed in Afghanistan, 2,500 remain as the standard complement as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
 | On a mission in Afghanistan. | At the time of the invasion, the Canadian government defined Canada's reasons for participating in the Afghanistan mission as follows:
-defend Canada's national interests
-ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs
-and help Afghanistan rebuild.
| Checking a hole in the ground for potential explosives. | Once the regular forces were on the ground in January-February 2002 the Canadians were used to support the war effort until Operation Anaconda began. During the operation, a Canadian sniper team broke, and re-broke, the kill record for a long distance sniper kill set in the Vietnam War by a U.S. Marine. Operation Anaconda was also the first time since the Korean War that Canadian soldiers relieved American soldiers in a combat operation. In March 2002, three Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) snipers fought alongside U.S. Army units during Operation Anaconda. Canadian forces also undertook Operation Harpoon in the Shah-i-Kot Valley. Other forces in the country provided garrison and security troops.
| Canadian soldiers evacuate injured personnel from Kandahar Airfield after their armoured vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The incident wounded two Canadian soldiers. |
In 2003, the Canadian Forces moved to the northern city of Kabul where it became the commanding nation of the newly formed ISAF. In August 2003, Operation Athena began outside Kabul as part of the ISAF, with a 1,900-strong Canadian task force providing assistance to civilian infrastructure such as well-digging and repair of local buildings.  | Combat operations west of Kandahar. | In March 2004, Canada committed $250 million in aid to Afghanistan, and $5 million to support the 2004 Afghan election.
On 13 February 2005, Defence Minister Bill Graham announced Canada was doubling the number of troops in Afghanistan by the coming summer, from 600 troops in Kabul to 1200.
In the spring of 2005 it was announced that the Canadian Forces would move back to the volatile Kandahar Province as the U.S. forces handed command to the Canadians in the region.
When the Canadian Forces returned to Kandahar after being deployed to Kabul in 2003, the Taliban began a major offensive, and the Canadians were caught in the middle. A record number of attacks against Canadian soldiers had been set, which included six deaths.
 | Military operations in Afghanistan. | Operation Archer followed Athena beginning in February 2006.
On 28 February 2006, command of the forces in southern Afghanistan transferred from U.S. Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry to Canadian Brigadier-General David Fraser in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield.
By the spring of 2006, Canada had a major role in southern Afghanistan, with Task Force Afghanistan being a battle group of 2,300 soldiers based at Kandahar. Canada also commanded the Multi-National Brigade for Command South, a main military force in the region. In May 2006, the Canadian government extended Canadian military commitments to Afghanistan by two years, replacing earlier plans to withdraw soldiers in 2006.
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