Task Force Kandahar Task Force Kandahar ( TFK ) was the formation conducting the International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF ) mission in Kandahar Province under ISAF Regional Command South . When it concluded its mission in Summer 2011 , the formation included a Canadian Forces battle group , three U . S . Army battalions ( two of infantry and one of military police ) , an engineer regiment , a signal squadron , Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams ( OMLTs ) , and contributions to Operational Mentor and Advisory Teams ( OMATs ) and the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team ( P - OMLT ) . Origin . Move From Kabul . On 29 November 2005 , the Canadian base Camp Julien in southwest Kabul officially closed . Canadian Forces ( CF ) components that were in Kabul under Operation Athena were relocated to Kandahar as part of the United States - led campaign against terrorism known as Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) . The Canadian component was initially designated Operation Archer . A Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Team ( PRT ) had already been at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City since August 2005 . The PRT integrated elements from the Canadian Forces ( CF ) , Foreign Affairs Canada ( FAC ) , the Canadian International Development Agency ( CIDA ) , and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) . Task Force Afghanistan . In early 2006 , Canada ' s contribution to Operation Archer increased to approximately 2300 personnel . The then designated Task Force Afghanistan also included a Canadian - led multinational brigade headquarters , designated Task Force Aegis , and Canadian battle group designated Task Force Orion centred on 1st Battalion , Princess Patricia ' s Canadian Light Infantry ( 1 PPCLI ) . This time frame also saw the introduction of the M777 howitzer as part of the task force in February 2006 . The period was highlighted by Operation Mountain Thrust and Operation Zahara ( also designated the First Battle of Panjwaii ) . 1 PPCLI was given the Commander - in - Chief Unit Commendation from the Governor - General of Canada for " exceptional determination and courage during relentless combat in Afghanistan , from January to August 2006 " . On 31 July 2006 , with the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF ) mandate , US - led Coalition forces handed command of the southern region of Afghanistan to Regional Command South . With the transfer of command authority , the majority of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan came again under Operation Athena . Evolution of Task Force Kandahar . Task Force 3 - 06 ( Operation Athena Rotation 2 ) . On 19 August 2006 , the 1st Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group ( 1RCR BG ) assumed command of the Kandahar Province area of operations from Task Force Orion . In early September 2006 the Task Force lead Operation Medusa with the aim to clear Taliban insurgents from a fortified position in Pashmul . For the operation , the battle group was partnered with forces from the United States , the Netherlands , the United Kingdom , Denmark and Afghanistan . The Battle of Pashmul marked the first time NATO had engaged in combat operations at the battle group - level . In the citation for the Commander - in - Chief Unit Commendation , the Battle Group had succeeded " where larger forces had failed , they prevented the enemy from realizing their goals of capturing the city and weakening international resolve and cohesion " . An Operational Mentor and Liaison Team ( OMLT ) was formed to work with the 1st Brigade of the 205 " Atul " ( Hero ) Corps ( 1 / 250 Corps ) , based in Kandahar Province . This surge , along with the deployment of a squadron of Leopard 1 tanks from Lord Strathcona ' s Horse ( Royal Canadians ) , CFB Edmonton , increased the number Canadian Forces in Afghanistan to 2500 . With Brigadier - General Timothy Grant assuming command of the Canadian elements in Kandahar in November 2006 and the construction of Provincial Operations Centre at Kandahar Airfield , the framework for Joint Task Force Afghanistan ( JTF - Afg ) was in place . Task Force 1 - 07 ( Operation Athena Rotation 3 ) . Although the battle group for TF 1 - 07 was based on 2nd Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment ( 2RCR ) from CFB Gagetown , the headquarters for Task Force Kandahar was primarily force generated from Land Force Atlantic Area , taking on a greater responsibility than previously rotations ' Nation Command Elements . The commander for Task Force Kandahar was also designated Commander Joint Task Force Afghanistan , ultimately responsible for all Canadian Forces personnel and assets deployed in southwest Asia . The task force contributed to Operation Achilles mid - April to mid - March 2007 , the clearing of Taliban fighters from Helmand Province . This offensive action was the largest NATO operation in Afghanistan up to this point . On 15 May 2007 , the Canadian OMLT took over full responsibility for the mentoring of 1 / 250 Corps from the United States Army . In July 2007 , the Government of Canada increased its diplomatic presence in Kandahar by appointing Michel de Salaberry as the Representative of Canada Kandahar ( RoCK ) . Task Force 3 - 07 ( Operation Athena Rotation 4 ) . Both the headquarters and the battle group were generated from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group ( 5 CMBG ) with Brigadier - General Guy Laroche as the commander . This rotation of the headquarters saw the " digitizing " of the task force , modernizing the command and control information systems within the task force and the standing up of Task Force Kandahar Signal Squadron . The 3rd Battalion , Royal 22 Régiment Battle Group ( 3 R22R ) , which was awarded the Commander - in - Chief Unit Commendation , was " instrumental in dismantling improvised explosive device networks , re - capturing checkpoints and returning them to Afghan control , enhancing the capacity of Afghan forces and providing guidance on community building and local governance . " On 16 October 2007 , the Government of Canada indicated the current mission was to end in 2011 . Task Force 5 - 08 . Based on headquarters from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group , TF 5 - 08 was also part of Operation Athena Rotation 5 , but as the headquarters were on nine - month tours vice the standard six , the headquarters were no longer in sync with their respective rotation . The headquarters , although it was involved with force - generation exercises with both Rotation 5 and 6 , the Commander , Brigadier - General Denis Thompson , referred to the headquarters as " Rotation 5 . 5 " . On the evening of 13 June 2008 , Taliban fighters executed a raid on Kandahar ’ s Sarposa Prison , freeing as many as 1100 prisoners ( approximately 400 Taliban ) .