MTTF: Mission Transition Task Force

Operation ATHENA

The Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF) is the last rotation of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, the Canadian Forces team deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Operation ATHENA. Made up of soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen from across Canada, the MTTF is responsible for closing down the combat mission conducted in Kandahar Province as part of the International Security Assistance Force. The MTTF is deployed at Kandahar Airfield from July to December 2011.

The Mission Transition Task Force is about 1,500 all ranks. It is composed of a headquarters, a mission close-out unit, a logistics support group, an engineer squadron, an air wing, a force protection company, a military police company, a health services company, and some liaison officers.

The mission of the Mission Transition Task Force is to conduct mission closure of Operation ATHENA in Afghanistan in order to enable the Canadian Forces to transition to subsequent operations. Furthermore, the mandate of the Mission Transition Task Force is to ensure that the closure of Operation ATHENA and our withdrawal from Kandahar Province are conducted effectively, while maintaining accountability for our equipment, materials, and personnel.

Some kit will be returned to Canada. Some kit — including infrastructure — will be sold, transferred or donated to allies and our Afghan partners, and some kit will be sent to support the Canadian Forces’ participation in the training mission in Kabul. At the same time, everything will be done while balancing fiscal prudence and operational readiness. Our leadership and subordinates are ready, willing and able to meet this immense challenge.

All personnel, vehicles, aviation and equipment will be out of Kandahar, Afghanistan, by December 31st, 2011. The challenge will be to bag, tag and flag an iron mountain of more than 1,000 sea containers and up to 1,000 military vehicles.

Another way to view it is sorting, stripping and shipping the various components of an armed small town of 3,000 folks being moved half-way around the world.

This momentous challenge will be conducted in a manner that will continue the proud legacy of acheivement that the Canadian Forces has earned in Afghanistan, while balancing the needs of Afghans, our allies and Canadians.

It is a testimony to the skills of this team that this important task will be completed on time and on target. They are soldiers first, but tradesmen always.

We can all be proud of the members of the Mission Transition Task Force, whether they are Regular, Reserve, civilian, sailors, soldiers, or members of the air force.

Credits