Interested In speaking with former members of CAR 1987-1990

[Infoseeker]

Hello, I'm looking to find information or speak with for CAR members who were in the CAR during 1987-1990 in regards to Somalia before the major incidents of the earl/mid 90's. Also for information about what CAR was Doug during that time period as I can find no public records. If anyone can assist me or point me in the right direction I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Franko]

Hello, I'm looking to find information or speak with for CAR members who were in the CAR during 1987-1990 in regards to Somalia before the major incidents of the earl/mid 90's. Also for information about what CAR was Doug during that time period as I can find no public records. If anyone can assist me or point me in the right direction I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

Can you tell us what the purpose of your search is for or who you are/ what news agency you're working for?

You may get a response if you fill in the blanks and provide some details.

 

[bick]

You may want to try:

www.commando.org

Be very open about who you are, what you request and for whom you work.  Expect alot of flak if you're a journalist, but someone will probably respond to your questions.

 

[Infoseeker]

The purpose of my search is to find out more information about my fiance's past. It's a topic he doesn't like to speak about so I only have the most vague information about it and I would like to know more. My name is Danielle and I'm not a news reporter nor am I affiliated with any such agency. I'm really just trying to fill in some blanks about my fiance's past.

I tried to join both Canadianairborneregent and commando.org to ask this same question, but on the one, for whatever reason, every time I tried to join I couldn't. I kept getting an message that my email has been banned. (I tried different emails too) and for commando.org when I tried to join it told me my ip address was blocked.

 

[Scott]

Do you suppose that you might just be displaying a little mistrust in your partner?

Perhaps you could just be, oh I don't know, upfront and honest with him and make a statement as to how these blanks are making you feel? Give him  chance to speak to you about it or tell you to mind your own business? And if he tells you to mind your business then make a decision: leave over this or let it frigging go.

I dunno, this sounds uber fishy to me and unless I suspected a Walt or something illegal happening there's no way I'd drop that sort of dime to someone who could be sneaking about behind their partner's back.

Edited to add: I just asked my wife, who appeared on the scene long after I finished my time in the Mo, if she had any questions about my time in, or my deployment. She said she had enough info, doesn't care to talk about the things I do not often talk about, and that she'd ask me if she had any questions...but would also respect my right to say, "I do not want to speak about this"

Best of luck to you and your relationship.

 

[Infoseeker]

It has nothing to do with mistrust in my partner. Next time he wakes up in the middle of the night or can't sleep one night, how about I let you be the one who sits up with him all night.

Forgive me if I am a little bit sensitive about this. Something of what he has seen or done has stayed with him for all these years, as his partner I absolutely want to know. He is well aware that I am looking for information on the subject, so it's not behind his back either. His words to me regarding finding any information, good luck.

 

[Scott]

Well it makes no sense to me whatsoever, so you fill your boots.

Forgive me if I am a little guarded. You've been very vague all along.

 

[PuckChaser]

It has nothing to do with mistrust in my partner. Next time he wakes up in the middle of the night or can't sleep one night, how about I let you be the one who sits up with him all night.

I'd be a little less hostile if I were you. There a lot of members on this forum who know first hand the effects of an OSI or PTSD case either from clinical work or how it effects themselves. Comments like this really make people not want to help you.

 

[Scott]

I'd be a little less hostile if I were you. There a lot of members on this forum who know first hand the effects of an OSI or PTSD case either from clinical work or how it effects themselves. Comments like this really make people not want to help you.

Well said. Milpoints inbound.

 

[Jarnhamar]

It has nothing to do with mistrust in my partner. Next time he wakes up in the middle of the night or can't sleep one night, how about I let you be the one who sits up with him all night.

Challenge accepted.

 

[Infoseeker]

No its my bad, I'm sorry. I felt like you were saying our relationship wouldn't last and I got defensive. Especially by saying I was sneaking behind his back.

I know nothing about how military service works so ii have a million and one questions and half of them I can't find satisfactory answers for. I am being vague yes because I don't wan to pt specific details on a public forum. My questions are mostly related to Canadian presence in Somalia between 1987-1989/1990. My number one question is why can't I find anything about it onlIne except starting in 1992/1993.

I don't mean to be hostile I'm just finding it frustrating not to be able to google and have all the information I need. I also don't mean to be disrespectful, I only have a minimal understanding of PTSD etc, it's one of those things a person like me who has been sheltered from any sort of horror or atrocity can never truly understand.

@obedientZelum - thank you lol. It obviously was an out of line remark and your comment made me stop for a moment and then laugh at myself for being ridiculous.

 

[MikeL]

My questions are mostly related to Canadian presence in Somalia between 1987-1989/1990. My number one question is why can't I find anything about it onlIne except starting in 1992/1993.

What makes you believe the Airborne Regiment/Canadian Forces were deployed to Somalia between 1987-1990?

A further United States-led multinational initiative was authorized by the UN in late 1992. Canada, along with more than 20 other nations, participated in this as well. During their time in Somalia, Canadians did many things to try to improve the desperate situation there. They escorted famine relief convoys, participated in the removal of landmines and collected or destroyed thousands of confiscated weapons. Despite their best efforts, the international forces could not end the strife in the country. In 1995, the final UN peace support mission withdrew.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/history/canadianforces/factsheets/somalia

 

[cupper]

Infoseeker, perhaps you could make use of your local family resources center for discussion of ways you could help your fiance to work through those periods. Also, seeking professional help or joining support groups for yourself to find ways of coping with the effects of what your fiance is going through.

I have lived with a family member who dealt with undiagnosed PTSD for 30 years, and my wife suffers from panic / anxiety disorder which can have similar effects as PTSD. I know that just having someone outside the situation to talk about it can be helpful for the spouse / family of the member dealing with PTSD.

One piece of advice I can give you from my experiences is to be patient and understanding, but don't pressure him to open up. When he feels ready to open up, make yourself available, but do not judge anything he may reveal to you. Be supportive and encouraging. Just be there for him.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jarnhamar]

@obedientZelum - thank you lol. It obviously was an out of line remark and your comment made me stop for a moment and then laugh at myself for being ridiculous.

No problem, I just watched the movie Savages last night.....

 

[Infoseeker]

What makes you believe the Airborne Regiment/Canadian Forces were deployed to Somalia between 1987-1990?

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/history/canadianforces/factsheets/somalia

Because he was in Somalia around 87/88.

 

[MikeL]

Because he was in Somalia around 87/88.

A former CAR member can provide more detail,  but from what I found through google is that the CAR was deployed to Cyprus 1986/1987.  Their only deployment to Somalia(from what I can find) was the UN deployment 1992/1993.

 

[Infoseeker]

Ats all I could find also, hence my post here.

 

[Edward Campbell]

There was some fighting in Cyprus in 74 and everyone is, of course, aware of what happened in Somalia in 92.

In between, the CAR:

1. A moved about, a bit, from Edmonton to Petawawa and did two more rotations in Cyprus; and

2. Was reorganized a couple of times ~ mostly, in my opinion,  because the Army was unsure of what the CAR was all about and, even worse, for morale, was unsure of what it was for.

In Petawawa, in at least the 1980s, the Regiment had some leadership problems - some of which ended up being the root cause of the Somailia situation (my opinion again).

In the late 80s, recognizing the CAR's very evident discipline and morale problems - the two always go hand in hand - Gen de Chasterlain, the CDS, promised the Regiment that he would send them on the next "good" mission. He, and the NDHQ staff, had in mind an operation in the Western Sahara - but the ceasefire there, in 1991, and subsequent disagreements within the parties and the UN about how to enforce it, made a "good" deployment of a first rate combat unit unnecessary. Then came another reorganization and, in the midst of it, Somalia.

There were a lot of very, very good people in the CAR, over the years, but, sadly (and mainly, I think, in the officer corps) some very bad ones, too. I'm sure many soldiers, especially good NCOs, were under considerable stress, in the 80s, due to the ongoing organizational, leadership and discipline problems.

 

[MikeL]

Ats all I could find also, hence my post here.

You might want to confirm unit/dates/location of the deployment - would help in finding information regarding the tour.

The only deployments the CAR had(from what I can find) is to Cyprus in the '70s/'80s and Somalia 92/93.  They deployed twice within Canada,  to Quebec for the "October Crisis" in 1970,  and again in 1976 to provide support at the Montreal Olympics.

Looking up past operations on a DND website,  all that was listed for Somalia was in 1992-1993,  none in the '80s.

Op Relief
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=205&CdnOpId=246

Op Deliverance
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=283&CdnOpId=339

Op Cordon
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=297&CdnOpId=357


List of CF deployments in Africa during the '80s

Sudan
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=182&CdnOpId=222

Ethiopia
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=41&CdnOpId=41

Libya
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=101&CdnOpId=117

Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=19&CdnOpId=19

Zambia
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=315&CdnOpId=386
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=315&CdnOpId=387

Nigeria
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=131&CdnOpId=155
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=129&CdnOpId=153

Namibia
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/od-bdo/di-ri-eng.asp?IntlOpId=308&CdnOpId=378

 

[cupper]

Skeletor:

You left out Namibia in 89/90, but the CAR wasn't deployed.

Also, we're basing this on the assumption that the member was deployed as part of the CAR, and not as an attachment to some other unit which was deployed.