Stag Special

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) held a ceremony in Beirut, Lebanon April 26, where $6.5-million in non-lethal equipment was donated to the LAF.

Equipment donated included snowshoes, trekking poles, snowmobiles, first aid kits, utility task vehicles, explosive ordnance disposal equipment and solar panels. This equipment will support the LAF and is in addition to the training the CAF has provided throughout the year, including training in combat first aid, civil-military co-operation, and winter warfare techniques.

Since 2016, the Canadian Training and Assistance Team – Lebanon (CTAT-L) has provided specialized equipment donations to the LAF and trained more than 2,000 LAF personnel as part of its enduring mission to contribute to security and stability in the region, under the mandate of Operation (Op) IMPACT.

Canadian Ambassador to the Lebanese Republic Stefanie McCollum; Deputy Commander of Op IMPACT, Col Jay Lachine; LAF Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, BGen Hassan Jounieh; as well as several other senior CAF and LAF officers and non-commissioned officers, attended the donation ceremony.

“Canada values the strong and unique partnership it shares with Lebanon, which remains second-to-none in the region. Our collaboration stems from the understanding that only way to achieve our combined vision is to work together towards a common goal,” offered McCollum. “The LAF continue to show dedication while taking on dangerous and lifesaving tasks to ensure the people of Lebanon are safe, and equipment being handed over today will support this mission.”

“This donation ceremony demonstrates the clear commitment of the CAF to contribute to security and stability in the Middle East. We will continue this support by maintaining our presence in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait,” added Col Lachine. “The main goal of Op IMPACT is to build the capacity of local partner forces. This donated equipment will certainly aid the LAF to secure their borders and contribute to regional stability.”

“CTAT-L has various projects, notably to train LAF members in specialized fields such as combat first aid, civil-military co-operation and winter warfare techniques. Specifically, this donated equipment will be used by the Lebanese Logistics Brigade, as well as by the LAF Mountain Winter Ski School,” said CTAT-L CO Maj David Tower.

Quick Facts

• Op IMPACT is part of Canada’s whole-of-government approach to the Middle East and is the CAF mission to build the military capabilities of Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, and set the conditions for their long-term success. It began as the CAF support to the Global Coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The coalition has been effective. Under the command of BGen Wade Rutland, Op IMPACT, on behalf of the CAF, is continuing to work with partners in the region to set the conditions for stability and security.

• The Government of Canada has extended Op IMPACT untilMarch 31, 2025. This extension will allow the CAF to continue to play an important role in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Kuwait alongside its Allies and partners.

• The CAF has begun a planned consolidation and adjustment of its personnel footprint in the Middle East. Canada will continue to fulfill its existing commitments under the authorities granted in Op IMPACT.

• As part of Op IMPACT, CTAT-L leads Canada’s military capacity-building with the LAF. This enhances security and stability in the region by supporting the LAF’s requests for trainers, advisors and mentors for key capabilities such as operations in winter and mountainous conditions as well as life-saving military first aid.

Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Lebanon Stefanie McCollum gives a speech during an April 26 equipment donation ceremony, in Beirut, Lebanon. During this ceremony, $6.5-million in equipment was donated by the CAF to the LAF, as part of their enduring mission to contribute to security and stability in the Middle East, under the mandate of Op IMPACT. McCollum, alongside a contingent of CAF and LAF officers, tours the displays of donated equipment. Later, McCollum, alongside a contingent of CAF and LAF officers, tours the Lebanese Logistics Brigade. Photo Cpl Mitchell Paquette, Op IMPACT PA