Canada's Combat Mission in Afghanistan Ends

More than nine years after it began, Canada's deadliest war in more than half a century draws to a close.

Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan is now over, after nine years and 157 soldiers killed. Brig.-Gen. Dan Milner officially handed over command of Canadian battle space to American Col. Todd Wood this morning in Kandahar, two days after the Royal 22e Regiment lowered the Canadian flag at the main forward operating base in the volatile Panjwaii district. Canada's contingent of some 2,500 soldiers will be reduced to about 950, who will now help train Afghan soldiers as they gradually assume responsibility for the security of their homeland. The Canadian Forces first touched down in Kandahar on Jan. 19, 2002, making the conflict the longest war Canada has ever taken part in, and the deadliest since the Korean War more than 50 years ago.