JTF2 also known as Joint Task Force 2 (Force opérationnelle interarmées 2 in French ) is a Canadian elite special forces. JTF2 serves alongside other forces and are part of Canadian Special Operations Forces. The base is located in Ontario region near Ottawa. Its main tasks are counter-terrorism, but also focuses on direct action, hostage rescue and foreign internal defense.
In 1992 Canadian Deputy Minister of Defense, Robert Fowler disbanded Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Special Emergency Response Team to create new military counter-terrorist unit because Canadian Forces had a large number of possible recruits than police force and also because it could put down public’s uproar about police’s arms use. In 1993 the unit was created with mere 100 members drafted from Canadian Airborne Regiment and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Thus the unit was established 1st of April 1993. Following the attack of 11th September 2001 the unit was expanded up to 600 operatives.
Following the War on Terror by U.S. the JTF2 was deployed without permission from the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and secretly without informing the public in 2001 to Afghanistan. In 2004 the U.S. government awarded 40 JTF2 members for service in Afghanistan and fulfilling key role in neutralizing Taliban leaders.
In 1996 the unit was deployed to Haiti to fight against revolutionary army and train local S.W.A.T. teams.
On 23rd March of 2006 JTF2 played important role in rescuing British and Canadian Christian Peacemaker Team, however their involvement was not confirmed by the Canadian government.
Most of the information regarding the unit is confidential including the training and recruiting as well as its involvements in numerous missions across the globe.
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