The Day the World Stood Still.
World Trade Centre, Twin Towers
The world watched in horror on September 11, 2001 as a series of coordinated attacks took place in the United States. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four airliners, deliberately flying two of them into the World Trade Centre towers in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was initially flown toward Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers thwarted the hijackers.
The attacks had an immediate and profound impact on Canada. Twenty-four Canadians died that day.
When the US closed its airspace, Canada responded by initiating Operation Yellow Ribbon, diverting 240 planes carrying thousands of passengers to several Canadian forces bases and 17 different civilian airports across the country. Every 90 seconds, a pilot requested to enter Canadian airspace. The operation marked the first time in history that all Canadian & United States airspace was shutdown.
Gander Airport
Our Canadian forces were immediately mobilized under Operation Support with two objectives, to provide help and support to the stranded aircrew and passengers, as well as increase emergency preparedness. CF units in the Atlantic region provided thousands of beds and ration packs; nine CF transport aircraft delivered about 8,800 cots, 8,300 blankets and 55 support personnel to places where commercial flights had been diverted. CF aircraft also transported Canada Customs and Revenue Agency officials to those locations so stranded travellers could clear Customs and enter Canada — many of them to accept the hospitality of the communities in which they found themselves.
CF Transport
In addition, CF-18 fighters were assigned to NORAD. The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) was placed on stand-by at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. The HMC Ships Preserver, Iroquois and Ville de Québec were put in a higher state of readiness in case they were required to go to a U.S. port to provide humanitarian assistance.
In the weeks to following, Canada passed controversial anti-terrorism laws and sent its first troops to Afghanistan as part of the “War on Terror.”
By December 2001, commandos from Canada’s elite Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) were sent to Afghanistan to join American, British, and other international forces fighting the Taliban. More soldiers soon followed, and Canada would stay in the region until 2014. By the time the operation ended, 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members had served in Afghanistan and 158 brave warriors had lost their lives.
Today and every day, Canada House remembers those who lost their lives to this senseless tragedy, and continues to support those who came home from the various theatres of war.