The Early Days of JTF 2

Are these JTF 2's first declassified archival records?

According to the Government of Canada website, Joint Task Force 2 “is an extremely high-readiness and precise special operations forces unit” created in 1993.

Canadian governments have always been circumspect about JTF 2 (or FOI 2, Deuxième Force opérationnelle interarmées), and the government does not comment on its operations. Nor, however, does it ever say much about its history.

In the past, JTF 2 had a slightly more robust website that was web-archived in 2017. In those days, its mission was phrased (and capitalized) slightly differently:

“Our Mission: JTF 2 protects the Canadian National Interest and combats terrorism at home and abroad.”

On that website was a series of posters featuring different JTF 2 roles.

A poster in the artistic style known as “High GWOT”

The writing style on the old website was, like the posters, a product of its era:

"We see ourselves as protectors, not avengers.  We stay silent about our actions, but never break the law. “

But except for some minor changes in emphasis on its websites, the Government of Canada has been tight-lipped about this particular defender of the “national interest” (or “National Interest,” if you prefer).

A search through the holdings of Library and Archives Canada (those holdings listed online, anyway) yields precisely one archival file with something like “JTF 2” in the name or description.

And now, this one file has been released in response to my request under the Access to Information Act. You can download it at Canada Declassified.

The 40 pages of records (from the 3 PPCLI fonds) include correspondence between JTF 2 and other units, mainly 3 PPCLI, about applicants and training schedules for Canadian Forces members seeking to join JTF 2.

I believe this is the first set of archival documents to be released about the unit.

The records, which are all from 1992, provide some interesting glimpses into the unit’s history, and I highlight a few things further below.

No doubt this is an extremely “niche" record release. But I have made it the subject of this week’s newsletter for a few reasons:

1. First, like The Operation APOLLO Files, I hope these documents will contribute to the work of students and scholars studying Canada’s national security history.

2. Second, the very release of the records (separate from the information itself) is significant.

This release is an important step toward Canada sharing more of its national security history. Canadians, especially Canadian students, are alway interested to learn more about Canadian international and military history. We can use this history.

Of course, not everything can be public. There are secrets to be kept.

But for most records, there comes a time when sensitive files transform into historical documents. And our access system can make this very difficult.

Here is a moment when the system worked!

Again, if you’re interested in the documents themselves, you can find them here. For a few highlights, see below.

Selection and Training

In June and July 1992, the Commanding Officer of “JTF TWO” transmitted messages to units across Canada — and even to Germany — notifying other commands that some of their personnel had been selected for “Phase Four Training” and “Phase Four Assaulter Training.”

Candidates were to travel to Dwyer Hill Training Centre, on Franktown Road, in Richmond, Ontario. Civilian clothing was authorized, and travel was to be by the most economical means possible. For security reasons, expense claims were NOT to be accompanied by a copy of the message explaining what it was all about.

A Phase Four Training course was set for August 4 to October 30, 1992. The list of selected personnel indicates they came from a wide range of units. This makes sense. These were not the potential “Assaulters” but instead likely reflected the range of other trades and specialties needed to man the new unit.

The Phase Four Assaulter Training, which was to begin the next week and last into November, fits with what is known about the early manning of the unit: A lot of selectees from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Fitness

No surprise here. Selection courses for special operations forces have a reputation for being exceptionally demanding. It seems that this was true of JTF 2 from the very beginning.

What to bring?

Not too much, it seems to me.

How are your colours?

This one hits home for me.

Now or Later?

One intriguing wrinkle: In the summer of 1992, 3 PPCLI was preparing for Operation HARMONY, Canada’s contribution to UNPROFOR in the Balkans.

3 PPCLI, on behalf of its selectees, inquired what “JTF-2” intended for individuals who successfully completed the Phase Four training course. In response, they learned that such members would be “posted immediately” to “JTF TWO” and would not be available for OP HARMONY. (Note that, quite understandably, there seems to have been no agreement on “JTF TWO” or “JTF-2," let alone today’s styling, “JTF 2.”)

As a result of this decision, at least three members of 3 PPCLI declined their spot in the course. (They expressed their interest in case they may be required after 3 PPLCI returned from OP HARMONY. Perhaps they did join later.)

Please note that Canada Declassified is free!

You certainly do not need to make a pledge to subscribe.

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The above all comes from archival file "Joint Task Force 2," RG24-G-14-62, Accession 2003-01787-9, box 1, file 1901-3, part 1, Library and Archives Canada. All pages are available online at Canada Declassified. LAC sanitized the SIN numbers of selectees. I sanitized the last names of selectees.