While screening for potential danger in a dust-filled street, a Canadian soldier searches an Afghan civilian under the watchful eye of his fellow soldier. Off to the side, another Afghan civilian waits with a young boy, near a motorbike. The word ATHENA appears in large letters in the centre of the image.

OP ATHENA

On September 11, 2001, the United States sustained attacks that had unprecedented consequences. The entire world was shaken. Canada and the other NATO forces wasted no time in retaliating by sending their troops into Afghanistan. Although the Taliban government fell a few months later, the horrors of war were ongoing. Operation ATHENA began in 2003. The Canadian Armed Forces deployed to Kabul, one of the most dangerous places in the world. In addition to confronting the Taliban in the field, Canadian soldiers did everything possible to protect civilian safety. Their mission also included the supervision of the national Afghan army and police, encouraging economic development and fighting drug trafficking in Afghanistan.

EXPLORE