Operation FOUNDATION

Canada is one of about 65 nations in the U.S.-led coalition conducting the campaign against terrorism known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) is responsible for American military operations, including coalition operations, in east Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, southern and central Asia, and the northern sector of the Red Sea.

Under Operation FOUNDATION, the Canadian Forces maintains a liaison team of about seven personnel divided between USCENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and the USCENTCOM forward headquarters in Bahrain, on the western shore of the Persian Gulf. This team, called Task Force Tampa, is responsible for maintaining effective liaison with USCENTCOM with regard to the campaign against terrorism, a task that includes tracking and forwarding intelligence reports, requests for forces, and information about the activities and intentions of other coalition members. The commander of Task Force Tampa is charged with keeping USCENTCOM apprised of Canadian activities and intentions in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility.