a Special Operations Forces Command is comprised of several special forces operations that include a Joint Task Force which is the Canadian Forces special operation and counterterrorism unit, a Canadian Special Operations Regiment, the 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit. They are all comprised under CANSOFCOM and generate special forces operations to support the Canadian Forces. All of the special forces in Canada operate within the realm of one another and share information for the welfare of the country.
Their History
The CANSOFCOM was developed in 1997 as a joint effort for all Canadian military as well as special forces units.
How To Become A Member Of CANSOFCOM
Officers as well as enlisted men can join the CANSOFCOM and undergo the 20 week training course to become members of this special forces team.
Canada Special Operations Forces Command Training
Those who want to join the Canadian forces of any kind must undergo rigorous training. This includes training in parachuting, sniper training, pathfinders and combat diving. Some of those who excel in this training can go on to join the special forces. Special forces in Canada are recognized by the tan berets they wear as part of their uniforms.
Because the 20 week course to join the special forces is so physically as well as psychologically grueling for most recruits, few of them make it to the special forces. Both officers as well as enlisted personnel are allowed to join the forces, provided they can pass the training exercises. Top physical and mental shape is required as well as weaponry training, parachuting and survival skills.
Those who complete training can choose to specialize in a certain branch of the Canadian Special Forces. The special forces are always small units that will engage in hand to hand combat to rescue trapped military personnel. They are considered to be the elite of the Canadian fighting team.
What Are They Best At?
The primary task today when it comes to core tasks for the Canadian military is counter terrorism. This includes both offensive and defensive actions to curb terrorism abroad as well as on a domestic scale. There is also Maritime Counter Terrorism operations that are designed to combat terrorism at sea. In addition there is the High Value Tasks that operate both domestic and abroad missions for direct action reconnaissance, diplomacy and non combatant evacuation.
Weapons of the Canadian Special Forces Command
The weapons used by this elite squadron include the Colt Canada C7 and C8 series of rifles, the FN Herstal P90, the Heckler & Koch MP5A3, the Sig Sauer pistols, the Jackal MWMIK, the HMMWV M2 Browning machine gun and the Rheinmetall YAK. The Jackal MWMIK has just started to be used by those in these special forces in the past year.
Known Missions
The counter terrorism unit has been involved in combat in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq. The primary focus of the Canadian Special Forces today is terrorism as a threat to them domestically as well as around the globe. They have joined in with the United Nations with regard to combating enemy combatants around the globe, particularly with Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are still actively engaged in battle. One interesting note regarding the counter terrorism unit is that Roger McAllen, a former integral part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is not in charge of the counter terrorism unit for the Canadian Special Forces.
Units
Canadian Forces special operation and counterterrorism unit, a Canadian Special Operations Regiment, the 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit. These are all units of the Canadian Special Forces.
Are They Professional Soldiers?
Members of the Canadian Special Forces are considered to be among the top in forces in the world and are comprised of professional soldiers, both officers and enlisted men.
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from USNavySealStore.com, the contributor of US Navy Seal Store. More information on the subject is at Who Are The Canada Special Operations Forces Command?, and related resources can be found at US Navy Seal Information Portal.
