Order. This is our sixth meeting of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan. This is in reference to the recommendation adopted in the subcommittee report on March 26, and then again on May 14, that the committee invite General Thompson and General Howard to discuss the ongoing training for the Afghan National Army.
To that end, Brigadier-General Howard has recently returned from nearly a year in Afghanistan, holding a senior position in the CSTC-A, responsible for coalition support to the development of the Afghan National Army.
Sir, welcome.
As well, Brigadier-General Thompson recently returned to Canada after completing nine months as the commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan--you were in that position when the defence committee was over there a year ago, I guess, General--the Canadian Forces element in Afghanistan, and also as commander, Task Force Kandahar, the NATO International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, operational command responsible for military operations in the province of Kandahar.
So I think, committee, we have two witnesses today who are going to be able to offer a lot to us in our study and as we look at the preparation of the Afghan National Army, in particular, as it advances in its ability to work in that country.
Gentlemen, you know the routine. I would believe you've been in the committee before. You have an opportunity to present your comments, and then we'll open it up to a round of questions to the committee members.
The floor is yours.