Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM; ) is a command of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is responsible for all special forces operations that are capable of responding to terrorism and threats to Canadians and Canadian interests around the world. CANSOFCOM's primary mission is counter-terrorism, which involves conducting rigorous and specialized training and working with local law enforcement agencies, as required, to protect Canadians from the threat of terrorism. Commander CANSOFCOM reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff. The leadership of the CAF and the Department of National Defence maintain full oversight on all CANSOFCOM operations. Composition CANSOFCOM is organized into a headquarters element and five units: Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2); Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR); 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron (SOAS); Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU); Canadian Special Operations Training Centre (CSOTC). Operational tasks CANSOFCOM has five strategic tasks: Provide advice on special operations to the chief of the defence staff (CDS) and other CAF operational commanders Generate deployable, high-readiness special operations forces (SOF) capable of deploying as part of a broader CAF operation, or independently Conduct and command SOF operations on behalf of the CDS Continuously develop SOF capabilities and tactics Maintain and promote relationships with Canadian security partners and allied special operations forces In support of these strategic tasks, CANSOFCOM personnel are organized, trained, equipped, and always ready to conduct operational tasks. These tasks include: Hostage rescue Direct action Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) crisis response Sensitive site exploitation Combating weapons of mass destruction Maritime special operations Support to non-combatant evacuation operations Special protection operations Defence, diplomacy and military assistance Special operations task forces CANSOFCOM employs an integrated operating concept that combines the capabilities of all units in a special operations task force (SOTF) capable of completing assigned missions and tasks. Therefore, depending on the tasks at hand, various combinations of personnel from JTF2, CSOR, 427 SOAS and CJIRU are assembled into a SOTF, as appropriate, to accomplish assigned missions. The commander selects which task force or team will be deployed based on several criteria, including: The scope of the problem; The required response time; What effect needs to be achieved; and The level of precision required. Based on the requirement to respond to specific standing tasks assigned to the CAF by the Government of Canada, such as responding to a terrorist attack, an international crisis or a CBRN threat, CANSOFCOM