The small, final contingent of Canadian Forces personnel have landed in Canada.
As the giant CC-177 Globemaster transport plane with the group of 93 soldiers on board flew over the national capital, Ottawa, it was ceremonially escorted by two CF-18 fighter jets.
Arriving at the airport this morning, the soldiers were greeted in a ceremony by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor-General David Johnston, federal Defence Minister Rob Nicholson and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Thomas Lawson.
The Prime Minister used the occasion to announce that May 9, will be a national day of honour to commemorate the mission and the 158 Canadian military lives lost. One diplomat, one journalist and two civilian contractors were also killed.
As part of that special day, a parade will be organized that will begin at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and travel to Parliament Hill. There will also be a moment of silence to reflect upon Canada’s sacrifices.
As well, the Afghanistan Memorial Vigil, to honour those who were killed and which was constructed by troops in Kandahar, will be on display on Parliament Hill during the parade.
Speeches and ceremonies were kept relatively short inside the large hangar so soldiers could re-unite with their friends and families also in the hangar.
During the 12 year mission in Afghanistan, there were more than 40,000 postings of Canadian armed forces to the country since October 2001. In 2011, Canada’s role changed from combat to training Afghanistan’s own security forces Canada.
Canada also spent $1.65 billion on reconstruction and development in the country during the mission. Other NATO forces are set to leave by the end of the year, however member nations have promised to continue $4.1 billion annually in funding to the Afghan security forces.
(with files from CBC)
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