The Canadian military has completed its clean-up duties in Kandahar, expecting that all of its soldiers, cargo and other equipment will be out of the province within two weeks.
"Closing out in the Kandahar airfield here today, we'll be completely clear of the airfield in terms of people and material by the middle of December," Lt.-Gen. Stuart Beare, the commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel on Thursday.
The Maple Leaf flag was hauled down for the last time at Kandahar Airfield on Thursday, as part of a ceremony that formally ended Canada's military presence there.
Beare said the majority of the military's property would be shipped home by air transport, while some lower-priority items would be sent into Pakistan before being shipped home.
"We have material flowing by road from here through to the ports in Pakistan to make its way home," said Beare.
"But that material isn't vital, it's not the most urgent stuff that would affect us negatively if we lost it."
Canada wrapped up its Afghan combat mission in July. The soldiers who remained in Kandahar have since been organizing the full withdrawal of the troops and their equipment.
Special forces from Canada first set foot in Kandahar in November 2001.
They were later joined by a full battle group of soldiers from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in the spring of 2002.
The Canadian army later deployed to Kabul, but returned to Kandahar in the winter of 2006, where they remained until July.
A group of about 950 soldiers will remain in Kabul into 2014, as they help train Afghan security forces.
The Canadian Forces have donated some of their medical supplies, furniture, tools and construction equipment to the Afghans, which means that it will not be sent home.
"We were pleased to help out," said Brig.-Gen. Charles Lamarre, who headed the transition task force.
The military is also leaving behind some tents, backpacks, generators, appliances and cooking equipment that will be distributed to Kandahar residents.
With files from The Canadian Press
