Mishall RehmanThe CAF will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait and Canada’s contribution to the First Gulf War with various ceremonies from Feb. 24 to 29. The highlight of these celebrations will be a commemorative event held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on Feb. 27.
“As the Canadian Armed Forces marks the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait, we honour those who served in the First Gulf War and recognize their contribution to restoring Kuwait’s freedom. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who took part in the Gulf War, both our veterans and those who continue to serve today, for their outstanding service to Canada and the cause of freedom,” said Lieutenant-General Michael Hood, Commander Royal Canadian Air Force.
Close to 4,500 CAF members participated in Operation FRICTION, Canada’s air, land and sea contribution to the 35-nation coalition sent to remove occupying Iraqi armed forces from Kuwait.
The First Gulf War of the early 1990s set the stage for many historic firsts for Canada’s military. Operation FRICTION was the first time that CAF women were deployed to a war zone in combat roles; the first deployed Joint Headquarters for the CAF, and it was the first time relief-in-place crew swapped for one of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships while in theatre.
Ceremonies are taking place across bases and wings where CAF units originally deployed from to Gulf region during the war. Various locations include Esquimalt, BC; Cold Lake, AB; Trenton, ON; Petawawa, ON; Bagotville, QC; Valcartier, QC and Halifax, NS.
** photo** 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment soldiers on patrol in Qatar. December 23, 1990. Photo: Department of National Defence ISC90-5050 via Veterans.gc.ca
