Overview
Up to 850 women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from the Regular and Reserve Forces are deployed in four countries – Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Kuwait - on Op IMPACT, Canada’s training mission in the Middle East. This includes up to 250 members on NATO Mission in Iraq.
Canada’s military is working hand-in-hand with Coalition, NATO, and partner nations to build the capacity of the military forces of Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon to reduce the threat posed by violent extremist groups in the region, and to support regional stabilization efforts.
Security is an important pillar of post-conflict reconstruction. Helping partner nations improve their military capabilities is one of the critical means by which the CAF is helping to defeat violent extremist groups, like Daesh, and increase the security and stability of the Middle East.
Op IMPACT is part of Canada’s whole-of-government approach to the region. The CAF mission complements the work of other Canadian government agencies such as Global Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to build the security forces and capabilities of Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, and set the conditions for their long-term success.
Canadian Armed Forces in Kuwait
Joint Task Force IMPACT Headquarters (JTF-I HQ) in Kuwait is responsible for the command and control of Op IMPACT personnel and operations within Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.
In addition to JTF-I HQ, other elements of JTF-I operating in support of Op IMPACT include; an Air Task Force which delivers air mobility and tactical aviation effects; an Operational Support Hub, which provides second-line support and sustainment to JTF-I units and locations; a Military Police Unit; and a Joint Intelligence Center.
As a result of the changing security environment in Iraq, some troops normally stationed in Iraq have been temporarily repositioned while the conditions to restart operations in Iraq are evaluated.
JTF-I HQ continues to work with its supported commands and Allied partners in evaluating the conditions to fully resume operations and monitor the security environment.