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Backgrounder
Op HALO : Canadian Forces Commitment in Haiti
BG–04.007f - August 17, 2004
The Canadian Forces deployed about 500 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Haiti to assist the United Nations-sanctioned multinational force in bringing stability to the country. This CF commitment was named Operation HALO .
Task Force Haiti (TFH) deployed in early March 2004 as part of the United Nations Multinational Interim Force (MIF). Formed in late February, the MIF had a 90-day mandate to contribute to a secure and stable environment in Haiti, to facilitate the delivery of relief aid to those in need, and to help the Haitian Police and Coast Guard maintain law and order and protect human rights.
At the request of the United Nations, the Canadian Forces (CF) mission in Haiti extended beyond its initial mandate in order to permit Task Force Haiti (TFH) to assist in the expansion from the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) to the larger follow-on Mission des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti), or MINUSTAH.
The transfer from the MIF to MINUSTAH took place at a ceremonial parade held June 25, 2004 in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The Canadian soldiers and air force personnel of Task Force Haiti serving on Operation HALO changed their regular uniform headdress for the United Nations blue beret. Operation HALO remained operational until end-July and members returned to Canada by mid-August 2004.
The role of MINUSTAH was to support the continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process, and the maintenance of a secure and stable environment.
Operation HALO comprised approximately 500 personnel:
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A company group primarily from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, located in Gagetown, New Brunswick;
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430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, with six CH-146 Griffon helicopters, from Valcartier, Quebec;
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A National Command Element that linked the Chief of the Defence Staff in Ottawa with Task Force Haiti; and
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A National Support Element that delivered centralized administrative and logistics support services to Task Force Haiti.
Airlift support for this deployment was provided by squadrons operating CC-130 Hercules and CC-150 Polaris transport aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.
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NOTE: Images of CF operations in Haiti can be found at www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca .
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