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| Canadian Special Operations Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2006 - Present |
| Country | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Special Operations Forces Command |
| Type | Special Operations Light Infantry |
| Role | Counter-terrorism/special reconnaissance |
| Size | One battalion |
| Nickname | CSOR |
| Colors | Tan Beret (CANSOFCOM) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LCol Jamie Hammond[1] |
The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) is a highly trained, mobile, special forces unit. The mission of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment is two-fold: to provide back-up to Joint Task Force 2 (JTF-2), the Canadian Forces (CF) main special operating forces (SOF) unit; and to provide the CF with a SOF unit that can be deployed anywhere in Canada or the World.
The CSOR, along with JTF 2 in Ottawa, 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) in Petawawa and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) in Trenton, all form part of the Canadian Special Operations Force Command (CANSOFCOM).
CSOR is currently at interim operational capability with full operational capability slated for 2010.
Contents |
Unit history
In December 2005, is was announced that the Canadian Forces would be creating a new special forces unit, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment. According to the announcement this new unit would be an integral part of the Canadian Special Operating Forces Command and that it would be capable of both independent operations and acting as a complement to the JTF-2. [1]
Recruiting for the new unit took place soon afterwards, and early in 2006 the first CSOR selection course took place with approximately 175 candidates.[2]
On 13 August 2006, an official stand-up ceremony for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment took place at the unit's home station, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa, with approximately 250 soldiers participating. The ceremony included a skills demonstration including rappelling from helicopters, and both static and freefall parachuting. It was also announced that the second training serial of CSOR recruits would take place in early 2007. [3]
Operations
CSOR will broaden the range of special operations capabilities within the CF, providing a more sophisticated set of tools to deal with the current and future operating environments. CSOR will be capable of operating independently as well as being able to generate Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements to support Canada Command (Canada COM) and the Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command (CEFCOM). Integrating special operations forces in this manner will increase their impact in operations, as well as the range of options available to the government in the deployment of the CF. CSOR, as one of the key components of CANSOFCOM is making the CF more effective, relevant, and responsive.
Organization
CANSOFCOM is responsible for providing agile, high-readiness Special Operations Forces capable of operating across the spectrum of conflict at home and abroad to the Chief of Defence Staff and operational commanders. It is composed of CSOR in Petawawa, Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2) in Ottawa, 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (427 SOAS) in Petawawa and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) Company in Trenton.
Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Hammond is the first and current commander of the regiment.
Operational Jurisdiction
As Joint Task Force 2 was created to take over the mandate of the RCMP Special Emergency Response Team, they are intrinsically tied to Counter Terrorism.
"In the main, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment enables special operations and, specifically, JTF2; thus, JTF2 can focus on the precise tasks for which they are so well selected and trained. However, particularly in out-of-area operations, we see that the Canadian Special Operations Regiment would be the more appropriate organization to put to the task." (Colonel Barr, commander CANSOFCOM, in Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, 27 November 2006.)[4]
CSOR will eventually be the regiment responsible for special forces operations outside of Canada; at present JTF2 is responsible for external counter terrorism operations. Although CSOR will take independent action JTF2 would benefit from support in counter-terrorism operations. The interchangeability of these units allows CANSOFCOM a wide variety of options in dealing with any given situation.[citation needed]
JTF2 has been the only special forces element of the Canadian forces since the disbandment of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, with exclusive responsibility for Special Operations. Until CSOR is at full operational status the nature of operational jurisdiction will be in flux.
History
In April 2005, the Canadian government's new defence policy statement was made public. It included a concept of first responders for international tasks consisting of "special forces" (such as an expanded Joint Task Force 2) supported by one of the light battalions.
This concept of operations is similar to the US Army Rangers, or the new Special Forces Support Group of the UK Special Forces Group, both of which support high-level Special Forces units. This eventually led to the formation of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR). CSOR however can be more compared to the United States Army Special Forces with the ability to support Tier 1 Special Operations. It does not seem likely that it will be condemned merely a supporting role in Special Operations.
CSOR will be organized into 3 direct action groups and one special operations group.
Manpower
The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) was initially established with about 125 members; however its eventual strength is planned to be about 800 members.
See also
- Special Forces
- Emergency Response Team (RCMP), the RCMP branch dedicated to paramilitary operations.
- Devil's Brigade