View source for Joint Task Force 2

{{Short description|Canadian Armed Forces' elite Tier 1 special operations unit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     =Joint Task Force 2
| native_name                   = {{lang|fr|Deuxième Force opérationnelle interarmées}}
| image                         = 
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = 
| start_date                    = 1 April 1993
| country                       = Canada
| type                          = [[Special operations force]]
| role                          = {{ubl|[[Special operations]]|[[Counterterrorism]]}}
| size                          = Classified<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions - Joint Task Force 2 |url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-special-forces/jtf2-faqs.page |website=Department of National Defence |access-date=28 February 2014 |date=29 July 2013}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Canadian Special Operations Forces Command]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/special-operations-forces-command/corporate/organizational-structure/joint-task-force-2.html |date=2018-01-26 |title=Joint Task Force 2 |website=Canadian Special Operations Forces Command |access-date=2021-05-18}}</ref>
| garrison                      = [[Dwyer Hill, Ottawa]], Ontario<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/jtf2-to-stay-in-ottawa-for-at-least-another-five-years |title=JTF2 to stay in Ottawa for at least another five years |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=6 June 2014 |work=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref>
| current_commander             = 
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = 
| motto                         = {{langnf|la|Facta non verba|deeds not words}}
| battles                       = {{unbulleted list
|Operation Assurance – Rwanda
|[[Yugoslav Wars]]<br />
{{*}}[[NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina|NATO intervention in Bosnia]]<br />
{{*}}[[Kosovo War]]
|[[1999 East Timorese crisis]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/what-were-members-of-canadas-special-forces-doing-at-the-freedom-convoy-occupation | title=What were members of Canada's special forces doing at the Freedom Convoy occupation? }}</ref>
|[[War on Terror]]
|{{*}}[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
|{{*}}[[Christian Peacemaker hostage crisis]]
|{{*}}[[Operation Impact]]
|[[2004 Haitian coup d'état]]
|[[Libyan Civil War (2011)|Libyan Civil War]]
|{{*}}[[Operation Mobile]]
}}
| notable_commanders            = {{plainlist|
* LGen [[Michael Rouleau]], OMM, MSC, CD
* LCol Ray Romses<ref name="Biography BGen Ray R">{{cite web |title=Biography BGen Ray R. Romses, OMM, CD |url=http://www.armycadethistory.com/Biographies/biography_Ray_Romses.htm |website=Army Cadet History |publisher=Army League of Canada |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130613095901/http://www.armycadethistory.com/Biographies/biography_Ray_Romses.htm |archive-date=13 June 2013 }}</ref>
}}
| decorations                   = {{plainlist|
* [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)]]
}}
| battle_honours                = JTF{{nnbsp}}2 does not carry individual battle honours, but instead is granted the motto {{langnf|la|ubique|everywhere}}
| identification_symbol         = [[Tan beret]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Headdress
}}

'''Joint Task Force 2''' ('''JTF{{nnbsp}}2''') is a Canadian [[special operations]] unit mandated with protecting Canadian national interests, [[Counterterrorism|combating terrorism]] threats both domestic and abroad, and hostage rescue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Command |first=Canadian Special Operations Forces |date=2018-01-26 |title=Joint Task Force 2 |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/special-operations-forces-command/corporate/organizational-structure/joint-task-force-2.html |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> JTF{{nnbsp}}2 serves under [[Canadian Special Operations Forces Command]] of the [[Canadian Armed Forces]] and is typically compared to American [[Delta Force]] and [[SEAL Team Six]], and the British [[Special Air Service]] and [[Special Boat Service]]. Most information concerning JTF{{nnbsp}}2 is classified and is not usually commented on by the Canadian Armed Forces or the Canadian government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada&#039;s Ongoing Involvement in Dirty Wars |url=https://policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/canadas-ongoing-involvement-dirty-wars |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives}}</ref> 

JTF{{nnbsp}}2's team of assaulters specialize in counterterrorism, [[Direct action (military)|direct action raids]], [[hostage rescue]], maritime special operations, special protection, and special [[reconnaissance]] often employed in complex, classified and dangerous missions against [[high-value target]]s backed up by specialized teams of supporting personnel.

==History==
[[File:Canadian general bids adieu to Fort Bragg.jpg|thumb|Major-General Nicolas Matern (right, in 2010), former commander of Joint Task Force 2 and deputy commander of [[Canadian Special Operations Forces Command]]]]
In 1992, Deputy Minister of Defence [[Robert Fowler (diplomat)|Robert Fowler]] announced he was recommending to Governor General [[Ray Hnatyshyn]] that he disband the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]'s [[Special Emergency Response Team]] (SERT) and create a new military counter-terrorism group. The decision was made largely because the Canadian Forces offered a greater pool of recruits for the program than civilian police forces, and it stemmed the public uproar about police being taught to use primarily lethal means.<ref name="book">{{cite book |last=Boer |first=Peter |date=2005 |title=Canadian Spies and Spies in Canada |pages=124–140 |chapter=Joint Task Force Two |location=Edmonton |publisher=Folklore Publishing |isbn=978-1-89486-429-9}}</ref>

In early 1993, the unit was activated with just over 100 members, primarily drawn from the [[Canadian Airborne Regiment]] and [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]].<ref name="book"/> They were given the SERT facility on [[Dwyer Hill Road]] near Ottawa as their own base of operations, and permanently parked a [[Greyhound Canada|Greyhound bus]] and a [[DC-9]] aircraft on the grounds for use in training.<ref name=book/>

Its first scheduled action was Operation Campus, the protection of highways and water treatment plants around the [[Oka, Quebec|Oka]] reserve while a police force tried to "crack down on smuggling" on the native reserve, immediately following the [[Oka crisis]]. However two daily newspapers in [[Quebec]] revealed the operation just days before it was to go into action, and it was cancelled.<ref name=book/>
The federal budget of December 2001 allocated approximately $120 million over six years to expand unit capabilities and double its size to an estimated 600 personnel, as part of the overall plan following the attacks of September 11, 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca/ajt-sfo/fut-ave/index-eng.asp |title=JTF 2: The Future |website=Department of National Defence |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706181726/http://www.jtf2.forces.gc.ca/ajt-sfo/fut-ave/index-eng.asp |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>

On September 13, 2024, new buildings are undergoing construction at JTF 2's Dwyer Hill headquarters to modernize their facilities with older buildings being scheduled to be torn down, which is contracted to EllisDon Corporation.<ref name="DW">https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/construction-of-new-buildings-underway-at-ottawa-special-forces-base</ref> A bridge will be constructed to Franktown Road, which will only be used by JTF 2 to transport their equipment.<ref name="DW"/> It's expected to be completed by 2027.<ref name="DW"/>

==Operations==

===Bosnia===
JTF{{nnbsp}}2 forces were inserted into [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], operating in two- to four-man<ref>{{cite book |last=Morisset |first=Denis |date=2018 |title=Nous étions invincibles |trans-title=We were invincible |language=fr |location=Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec |publisher=Les Éditions JCL |isbn=978-2-89431-669-6}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2023}} teams hunting for Serbian snipers who were targeting [[United Nations|UN]] forces at the [[sniper alley]].<ref name=book/> They were scheduled to free approximately 55 hostages in Operation Freedom{{nnbsp}}55, but the mission was cancelled as the Bosnian Serbs released all the prisoners voluntarily.<ref name=book/>

===Haiti===
In 1996, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 deployed to [[Haiti]] to advise the security forces of President [[René Préval]] on methods to repel the revolutionary army, train local [[SWAT]] teams and raid [[arms smuggling|weapons smugglers]] in [[Port-au-Prince]].<ref name=book/>

According to the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/joint-task-force-2-canada-s-elite-fighters-1.873657 |title=Joint Task Force 2: Canada's elite fighters |date=15 September 2010 |website=www.cbc.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811194114/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/joint-task-force-2-canada-s-elite-fighters-1.873657|archive-date=2021-08-11|url-status=live}}</ref> JTF{{nnbsp}}2 was also in Haiti at the time that Haitian president [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] was [[2004 Haitian coup d'état|ousted from power in 2004]]. They protected the Canadian embassy and secured the airport.

===War on Terror===
In the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]] and the American declaration of a [[War on Terror]], approximately 40 JTF{{nnbsp}}2 soldiers were sent to southern [[Afghanistan]] in early December 2001 to be part of [[Task Force K-Bar]], under the command of [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]] [[Robert Harward]]. The Canadian public was not informed of the deployment. However, in Sean M. Maloney's book ''Enduring the Freedom'', it was reported that JTF{{nnbsp}}2 was secretly deployed without Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]]'s permission in early October 2001.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book |last=Neville |first=Leigh |date=2015 |title=Special Forces in the War on Terror |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |page=77 |isbn=978-1-4728-0790-8}}</ref><ref name="fritz">{{cite book |first1=Eugene |last1=Lang |first2=Janice Gross |last2=Stein |name-list-style=amp |date=2007 |title=The Unexpected War: Canada in Kandahar |location=Toronto |publisher=Viking Canada |isbn=978-0-67006-722-0}}</ref><ref name=afghanistan2005>{{cite book |last=Maloney |first=Sean M. |date=2005 |title=Enduring the Freedom: A Rogue Historian in Afghanistan |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Potomac Books Inc |isbn=978-1-57488-953-6}}</ref> Under Task Force K-Bar, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 worked extensively with the [[3rd Special Forces Group (United States)|U.S. 3rd Special Forces Group]]; one of their first missions in Afghanistan was what Harward described as "the first Coalition [[direct action]] mission since the [[Second World War]]." The joint operation with a team of [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Berets]] targeting a [[Taliban]] command node almost ended in disaster when a Chinook carrying JTF{{nnbsp}}2 operators was forced to make a hard landing near the target site.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> While serving with Task Force K-Bar, Harward also stated that the JTF{{nnbsp}}2 team under his command was his first choice for any direct action.<ref name="Allan Woods Ottawa Bureau">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/800296--canada-s-elite-commandos-and-the-invasion-of-afghanistan?bn=1 |title='Canada's elite commandos and the invasion of Afghanistan' |first=Allan |last=Woods |date=2010-04-25 |newspaper=[[Toronto Star|The Star]] |access-date=2011-06-07 |location=Toronto}}</ref> JTF{{nnbsp}}2 was based at the time in Kandahar Air Field.<ref name="OC">{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=bbc102a1-5f63-4ea3-97ea-24cb916d8627&p=1 |title=JTF 2 scopes trained on Taliban elite |date=March 28, 2007 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102083839/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=bbc102a1-5f63-4ea3-97ea-24cb916d8627&p=1 |archive-date=2011-01-02}}</ref>

Several months later, ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' published an image on its front page showing operators in distinctive forest-green Canadian Forces combat uniforms delivering captured prisoners to the Americans. This prompted an outcry in Parliament as MPs were never informed these operations were underway. Vice Admiral [[Greg Maddison]] was called before the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs|Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs]] to address claims that Minister of Defence [[Art Eggleton]] had purposely misled the public and the government, even failing to inform the Prime Minister that JTF{{nnbsp}}2 had been operating in Afghanistan.<ref name=fritz/> Segments of the Canadian media made much of the special forces handing over detainees, particularly those who may have been sent to [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp|Guantanamo Bay]]. In January 2002, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 deployed reconnaissance teams to the series of caves discovered in [[Zhawar Kili]], just south of [[Tora Bora]]. Airstrikes hit the sites before SOF teams were inserted into the area. A platoon from [[SEAL Team 3]], including several of their [[Desert Patrol Vehicle]]s, accompanied by a German [[Kommando Spezialkräfte]] (KSK) element and a Norwegian SOF team, spent some nine days conducting extensive [[site exploitation]], clearing an estimated 70 caves and 60 structures in the area, recovering a huge amount of both intelligence and munitions, but they did not encounter any al-Qaeda fighters. In March 2002, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 reconnaissance teams took part in [[Operation Anaconda]]; they also conducted close protection tasks and participated in numerous direct action missions, allegedly including the siege at Mirwais hospital in [[Kandahar]], where a US Army [[Special Forces operational detachment-A]] (SFODA) killed a group of al-Qaeda terrorists hiding in a hospital ward; JTF{{nnbsp}}2 also carried out numerous operations with the [[New Zealand Special Air Service]]. JTF{{nnbsp}}2's first rotation was completed when they returned to Canada in May 2002, to be replaced by a second, shorter term, deployment until October 2002.<ref>{{cite book |last=Neville |first=Leigh |date=2015 |title=Special Forces in the War on Terror |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |pages=49–50, 77–78 |isbn=978-1-4728-0790-8}}</ref>

In 2004, an estimated 40 members of JTF{{nnbsp}}2 serving with Task Force K-Bar were awarded the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] by the U.S. government for service in Afghanistan.<ref name="Allan Woods Ottawa Bureau"/> Very little is known on JTF{{nnbsp}}2 operations in Afghanistan, but during a conference the former [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of Defence Staff]], General [[Rick Hillier]], stated that JTF{{nnbsp}}2 was in "high demand" and that they were considered to be "world class". He went on to say that the unit was providing direct support to the Afghan government and was targeting the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan. He stated that "trying to help neutralize those leaders is a key part of their role and that's what they will continue to do."<ref name="OC"/>

On 26 November 2005, members of the terrorist group [[Swords of Righteousness Brigade]] – a small offshoot of possibly [[Islamic Army in Iraq]] (IAI), [[Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan|Ansar al-Islam]] (AAI), Army of Islam, or a cover name for their abduction cells, or freelance cash criminal abductors – kidnapped four members (two Canadian, one British, and one American) of the [[Christian Peacemaker Teams]] in [[Baghdad]], Iraq. In response, [[Task Force 88 (anti-terrorist unit)#Task Force Black/Knight|Task Force Knight]] — the British special forces task force in Iraq — initiated Operation Lightwater; spearheaded by B Squadron, [[Special Air Service|22nd Special Air Service Regiment]] (SAS), the aim of which was to find and recover the hostages; a small team of JTF{{nnbsp}}2 and Canadian intelligence experts joined the task force for the operation whilst the United States provided technical intelligence to the operation. Together the force carried out relentless raids across the city, building up a picture by exploiting intelligence in the search for the hostages. Eventually on 23 March 2006 the three remaining hostages were rescued by the SAS.<ref>{{cite book |last=Urban |first=Mark |date=2012 |title=Task Force Black: The Explosive True Story of the Secret Special Forces War in Iraq |location=New York City |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |isbn=978-1-250-00696-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nance |first=Malcolm W. |author-link=Malcolm Nance |date=2014 |title=[[The Terrorists of Iraq|The Terrorists of Iraq: Inside the Strategy and Tactics of the Iraq Insurgency 2003-2014]] |location=Boca Raton, FL |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-49870-689-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/swords-righteousness-brigade |title=Swords of Righteousness Brigade |website=Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium}}</ref> [[The Pentagon]] and the [[British Foreign Office]] both commented on the instrumental role JTF{{nnbsp}}2 played in rescuing the [[2005–2006 Christian Peacemaker hostage crisis|British and Canadian Christian Peacemaker Team]] that were being held hostage in [[Iraq]]. Involvement of JTF{{nnbsp}}2 was not confirmed by Canadian officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-s-jtf2-commandos-part-of-iraq-hostages-rescue-reports-1.587161 |title=JTF2 Rescue |website=CBC News |date=23 March 2006 |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926073614/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-s-jtf2-commandos-part-of-iraq-hostages-rescue-reports-1.587161 |archive-date=26 September 2010 }}</ref>

There has been much speculation in the Canadian media on possible JTF{{nnbsp}}2 operational deployments. As of 2001, the unit had 297 members, but by the end of the year, with the [[War on terror|War on Terror]] becoming a reality, the federal government announced their intentions to increase it to 600 members within four years.

As of 2014, the unit was believed to be in Iraq as training personnel, under the Canadian [[Operation Impact]] which is part of [[Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve|Operation Inherent Resolve]].<ref name="Jtf2 Iraq">{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Ben |title=Canadian Special Forces Shot At ISIS Terrorists In Iraq |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/canadian-special-forces-are-not-killing-isis-terrorists-in-iraq-293/ |access-date=11 January 2016 |website=VICE Canada |date=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="National Post JTF2">{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Matthew |title='The Canadians are among our most important guys': Peshmerga praise elite commandos in fight against ISIL |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/within-shouting-distance-of-isil-755418 |access-date=11 January 2016 |agency=Postmedia Network Inc. |newspaper=[[National Post]] |date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="Surprise Attack">{{cite news |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Canada's biggest test yet: CF-18s, special forces help fight off massive ISIL surprise attack |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadas-biggest-test-yet-cf-18s-special-forces-help-fight-off-massive-isil-surprise-attack |access-date=11 January 2016 |agency=Postmedia Network Inc. |newspaper=National Post |date=18 December 2015}}</ref> The Canadian government has not denied or confirmed JTF{{nnbsp}}2's involvement.<ref name="Feds Deny">{{cite news |last1=Lester |first1=Normand |title=Feds deny Canadian JTF2 snipers fighting Islamic State |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2014/12/22/canadian-jtf-e-snipers-fighting-islamic-state-source-says |access-date=11 January 2016 |agency=Postmedia Network Inc. |newspaper=[[Toronto Sun]] |date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

In June 2017, it was reported that a JTF{{nnbsp}}2 sniper<!---SEE NOTE AT BOTTOM OF PARAGRAPH---> in Iraq had shot and killed an [[ISIL]] fighter from a distance of {{convert|3540|m|mi}}, setting a world record for the [[Longest recorded sniper kills|longest confirmed kill]]. The shot was taken from a high-rise building using a standard Canadian military issued [[McMillan Tac-50]] rifle, a .50 caliber (12.7×99mm) [[anti-materiel]] rifle commonly used by snipers in an anti-personnel role. The Canadian Forces designation is the C15 Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fife |first1=Robert |title=Canadian elite special forces sniper makes record-breaking kill shot in Iraq |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-elite-special-forces-sniper-sets-record-breaking-kill-shot-in-iraq/article35415651/ |access-date=8 July 2017 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=22 June 2017}}</ref><!---DO NOT ADD A NAME FOR THE SNIPER WITH THE RECORD SHOT UNLESS YOU ARE ALSO INCLUDING A *RELIABLE SOURCE* (PER WP:RS) AND THAT SOURCE CLEARLY STATES THE NAME OF THE OPERATOR THAT TOOK THAT SHOT. OTHERWISE, IMPROPERLY SOURCED OR UNSOURCED CONTENT WILL BE REMOVED.--->

===Other actions===

Vice-Admiral [[Dean McFadden]] also confirmed that JTF{{nnbsp}}2 would take a role in securing the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] and [[2010 Winter Paralympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=1345720 |title=Counter-terror to secure the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games |website=GlobalTV.com |access-date=7 June 2011}} {{dead link |date=October 2011}}</ref>

JTF{{nnbsp}}2 has also acted as bodyguards to Canadians travelling abroad, notably accompanying Lieutenant-General [[Maurice Baril]] and [[Raymond Chrétien]] to [[Zaire]] in November 1996.<ref name="book"/> When photographs provided to the media were revealed to show the faces of JTF{{nnbsp}}2 forces, they were redacted and reissued with the faces removed.<ref name=book/> In 1998, they accompanied General [[Roméo Dallaire]] to [[Tanzania]] where he was due to testify against a Rwandan [[Hutu]] official accused of complicity in the 1994 genocide.<ref name="book"/><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/engraph/vol2/no1/pdf/11-20_e.pdf |title=Operation "Assurance": Planning A Multi-National Force for Rwanda/Zaïre |first=Michael A. |last=Hennessy |issue=Spring 2001 |journal=[[Canadian Military Journal]] |pages=11–20 |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911130955/http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/engraph/vol2/no1/pdf/11-20_e.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2008 }}</ref> They similarly accompanied war crimes prosecutor [[Louise Arbour]] into [[Kosovo]].<ref name="book"/> In early November 2000, Conservative Defence Critic David Price stated that JTF{{nnbsp}}2 had been deployed to Kosovo, however, this was denied by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Defence Minister Art Eggleton.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/chretien-denies-canadian-commandos-in-kosovo-1.176746 |title=Chrétien denies Canadian commandos in Kosovo |date=10 November 2000 |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421212321/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/1999/04/20/canada_kos990420.html |archive-date=21 April 2009 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2016 }}</ref>

The unit was believed to be operating with the Special Air Service and [[Special Boat Service]] in [[Operation Mobile]], the Canadian operation in the [[2011 Libyan civil war]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+warship+route+JTF2+sent+Libya/4369428/story.html |title=Canadian warship en route, JTF2 sent to Libya |first=Tobi |last=Cohen |date=2011-03-02 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309222337/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+warship+route+JTF2+sent+Libya/4369428/story.html |archive-date=9 March 2011 }}</ref>

In August 2021, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 and CSOR operators were deployed to Afghanistan to evacuate staff from the Canadian Embassy in Kabul.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/canada-sending-special-forces-to-close-afghan-embassy/article |title=Canada sending special forces to close Afghan embassy |first=Karen |last=Graham |date=13 August 2021 |website=Digital Journal}}</ref>

In May 2022, Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] visited Ukraine to show solidarity and to witness the war for himself, alongside members of the cabinet. As part of the security detail, they were accompanied by members of JTF{{nnbsp}}2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-zelensky-ukraine-visit-1.6447082 |title=How Justin Trudeau's people arranged his whirlwind visit to a Ukraine at war|date=9 May 2022 |newspaper=CBC News}}</ref>

In October 2023, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 and other CANSOFCOM elements were deployed to Israel to help with security at the Canadian embassy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10056886/canadian-special-forces-deployed-israel/ |title=Small team of Canadian special ops deployed to Israel after Oct. 7 attack: sources|date=29 October 2023 |newspaper=Global News}}</ref> In March 2024, JTF{{nnbsp}}2 operators were deployed to Haiti to protect the Canadian Embassy and staff.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10379220/canadian-military-elite-unit-aiding-haiti/ |title=Canadian military aiding embassy in Haiti includes elite unit: sources |first1=Naomi |last1=Barghiel |first2=Mercedes |last2=Stephenson |date=2024-03-22 |newspaper=[[Global News]] |access-date=2024-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324121014/https://globalnews.ca/news/10379220/canadian-military-elite-unit-aiding-haiti/ |archive-date=24 March 2024 }}</ref>

==Unit accountability==
On 21 December 2006, a Federal Court judge rejected a request to proceed with a court martial against an unnamed JTF{{nnbsp}}2 officer, accused of assaulting and mistreating a subordinate. Because court martial requests require that the accused be named, the judge suggested that they explore other avenues to proceed with the court martial.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/News/article/164279 |title='Secret' soldier can't be charged |first=Tonda |last=MacCharles |date=22 December 2006 |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105754/http://www.thestar.com/News/article/164279 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref>

JTF{{nnbsp}}2 has acknowledged the death of one member. Master Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25, died on April{{nnbsp}}18, 2007, after falling off a communications tower in Kandahar, Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/secret-ramp-ceremony-for-canadian-soldier-who-died-in-fall-1.671828 |title=Secret ramp ceremony for Canadian soldier who died in fall |website=[[CBC News]] |date=20 April 2007 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> In 2010, the investigation into Klumpenhouwer's death was completed, and revealed that he had been knocked unconscious by a surge of electricity.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.northperth.com/news/article/89657 |title=Klumpenhouwer awarded medal for sacrifice |date=9 June 2010 |newspaper=Listowel Banner}}{{dead link |date=July 2013}}</ref>

==Equipment==
Operators use a range of weapons including:
* [[SIG Sauer MCX]]
* [[Colt Canada]] series of rifles: [[Colt Canada C7|C7]], [[Colt Canada C7#C8|C8]],<ref name="domisiewicz2007" /> and [[Colt Canada C7#C8SFW|C8SFW]]<ref name="Nevilleguns">{{cite book |last=Neville |first=Leigh |title=Guns of Special Forces 2001–2015 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dlyqCwAAQBAJ |year=2016 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire |isbn=978-1-47388-101-3}}</ref> 
* [[SIG 516|SIG Sauer SIG 716 G2]] designated marksman rifle <ref>{{cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/new-rifles-delivered-for-canadian-forces-sniper-teams|title=New rifles delivered for Canadian Forces sniper teams|date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] (A2/A3/SD) submachine gun<ref name="domisiewicz2007">{{cite web |title=Czarne Diabły ruszyły na wojnę |trans-title=Black Devils moved to war |url=http://www.altair.com.pl/czasopisma-artykuly-439 |last=Domisiewicz |first=Rafał |language=pl |date=July 2007 |website=Raport Magazine Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719122657/http://www.altair.com.pl/czasopisma-artykuly-439 |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> 
* [[FN P90|FN Herstal P90]] personal defence weapon<ref name="Ottawa2005" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Scott |title=Don't just equip JTF-2 |url=http://www.espritdecorps.ca/don't%20just%20equipe%20the%20JTF2.htm |website=Esprit de Corps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019015251/http://www.espritdecorps.ca/don%27t%20just%20equipe%20the%20JTF2.htm |archive-date=19 October 2007 |date=17 October 2005 }}</ref> 
* [[SIG Sauer P226]] sidearm<ref name="book"/><ref name="CASRSmallarms" /><ref name="domisiewicz2007" /> 
* [[SIG Sauer P320]] sidearm<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/pistol-misfire-that-injured-soldier-was-an-unpredictable-accident-special-forces-report/ar-AALCXZt |title=Pistol misfire that injured soldier was an unpredictable accident: Special forces report |first=Murray |last=Brewster |date=2021-06-30 |website=[[MSN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=canada.ca |date=2022-06-29 |title=Canadian Special Operations Forces Command statement on bringing weapon fleet into service following the unintended discharge of a holstered pistol during training |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/06/canadian-special-operations-forces-command-statement-on-bringing-weapon-fleet-into-service-following-the-unintended-discharge-of-a-holstered-pistol.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=canada.ca |language=en}}</ref> 
*[[Remington Model 870]] and [[Benelli M3]] shotguns<ref name="CASRSmallarms">{{cite web |title=DND 101 - Canadian Forces Small Arms – Specialist Weapons – A Visual Guide |url=http://www.casr.ca/101-army-smallarm-4.htm |website=Canadian American Strategic Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822074820/http://www.casr.ca/101-army-smallarm-4.htm |archive-date=22 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="domisiewicz2007" />
* [[FN Minimi|FN Minimi C9A2]] light machine gun<ref name="domisiewicz2007" />
* [[Accuracy International Arctic Warfare#AWP (Arctic Warfare Police)|Accuracy International AWP]],<ref name="domisiewicz2007" /> [[C14 Timberwolf]], [[Heckler & Koch PSG1]],<ref name="domisiewicz2007" /> [[M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/special-forces/canadian-joint-task-force-2-special-forces-weapons.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420051011/https://www.militaryfactory.com/special-forces/canadian-joint-task-force-2-special-forces-weapons.asp |archive-date=2021-04-20 |title=Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) Weapons (Canada) |website=Military Factory.com}}</ref> [[McMillan TAC-50]] and [[Barrett M82]] sniper rifles<ref name="domisiewicz2007" /> 
* [[M203 grenade launcher]], [[Heckler & Koch GMG]] automatic grenade launcher,<ref name="Ottawa2005">{{cite news |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Canada: JTF2 buys new guns; regular troops make do |url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1499057/posts |access-date=1 April 2017 |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=8 October 2005}}</ref> and [[Heckler & Koch HK69A1]] grenade launcher.<ref name="Nevilleguns" /> 
* [[Spike (missile)|Rafael Spike-LR]] anti-tank guided missile<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/he/node/41017|title=לכוחות מיוחדים: צבא קנדה רכש טילי ספייק של רפאל|date=21 November 2019}}</ref> 
* [[AT4|Saab Bofors Dynamics AT4]] anti-tank weapon.<ref name="domisiewicz2007" />
* [[Carl Gustaf 8.4cm recoilless rifle]] M4 version<ref>{{Cite web|title=More of the Same| url=http://publications.canadianarmytoday.com/v6i2/#p=35|access-date=2022-11-18|website=canadianarmytoday.com}}</ref>

JTF{{nnbsp}}2 uses the [[Humvee|High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle]] (HMMWV) [[Ground Mobility Vehicle – (US)SOCOM program|special operations]] version.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Special Ops: Wishlist of new gear |url=http://espritdecorps.ca/edecfeatures/2014/11/26/special-ops-wishlist-of-new-gear |work=Esprit de Corps |date=26 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920132555/http://espritdecorps.ca/edecfeatures/2014/11/26/special-ops-wishlist-of-new-gear |archive-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> A replacement project was cancelled in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://casr.ca/doc-npp-special-ops-vehicle.htm |title=Special Operations Vehicles (Special Reconnaissance and Quick Reaction vehicles) - Notice of Proposed Procurement |date=August 2008 |website=Canadian American Strategic Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401232759/http://casr.ca/doc-npp-special-ops-vehicle.htm |archive-date=1 April 2016}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Polaris Industries#DAGOR|DAGOR]] (Deployable Advanced Ground Off-road) vehicle by Polaris Defense was awarded the Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV) contract to provide 78 vehicles to CANSOFCOM.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Polaris Wins Canadian Special Forces Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle Contract |url=http://www.polaris.com/en-us/company/article/polaris-wins-canadian-special-forces-ultra-light-combat-vehicle-contract |website=Polaris |access-date=2 April 2017 |date=20 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Canadian special forces get new ultra light vehicles |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-special-forces-get-new-ultra-light-vehicles |access-date=2 April 2017 |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=15 December 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}

* {{anli|Canadian Special Operations Regiment}}
* {{anli|Canadian Airborne Regiment}}
* {{anli|Devil's Brigade}}
* {{anli|Emergency Response Team (RCMP)}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-special-forces/jtf2.page}}
*{{cite web |url=http://discovermilitary.com/special-forces/joint-task-force-2-canada/ |title=Joint Task Force 2 (Canada) |date=March 6, 2010 |website=Discover Military |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507111607/http://discovermilitary.com/special-forces/joint-task-force-2-canada/ |archive-date=2013-05-07}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.dnd.ca/en/operations-special-forces/jtf2.page |title=Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2) |website=Department of National Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705022652/http://www.dnd.ca/en/operations-special-forces/jtf2.page |archive-date=July 5, 2017}}

{{coord|45|07|49|N|75|56|46|W|region:CA-ON_type:city_scale:40000|display=title}}

{{commons category|Joint Task Force 2}}

[[Category:Canadian Special Operations Force Command]]
[[Category:Military counterterrorist organizations]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Canada]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1993]]
[[Category:Special forces of Canada]]