Operation Iris...Canada in Iraq in a supporting role?

[Military Brat]

Okay, so I've done a search and I am sure this hasn't been posted yet.

I was just browsing through the Combat Camera website, and came across a picture of a Humvee being unloaded from the back of a Herc. So then I read the description and it stated that the CF is making a contribution, under the title of "Operation Iris" of 2 CC-130 Hercules to the humanitarian, reconstruction, and stability efforts in Iraq.

Now because I am computer illiterate, I can't paste the URL to the exact picture with the description so I guess I can just paste the URL to the picture with the description quoted in my post, but if you want to go and see for yourself, do a search with "Air Force" in the first field, as your only parameter. Then from the results go to page 3 and in the second row down, right in the middle.

English/Anglais
APD03-0659-36 June 3, 2003
Arabian Gulf Region
On 2 June, a Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft completed the first Canadian flight in support Operation Iris, the reconstruction of Iraq. The aircraft comes from the Tactical Airlift Detachment deployed in the Arabian Gulf area on Operation APOLLO. It transported eight passengers and a load of miscellaneous cargo including a truck and trailer from Kuwait to Baghdad, Iraq. The mission of the Canadian TAL det is to support coalition forces transporting military personnel, equipment and cargo between destinations in the Arabian Gulf Region and surrounding theatres of operations in support of the on-going war against terrorism. Operation IRIS is the CF contribution to the humanitarian, reconstruction and stability efforts in Iraq.
Photo by: Cpl Henry Wall, NSU photographer Arabian Gulf Region

http://www.combatcamera.dnd.ca/photoarchive/LoRes/%212003/060403/APD03-0659-36.jpg

But this just got me thinking, the picture is dated June 3rd, 2003 ... if the CF was making a contribution in Iraq, wouldn't we have heard something about it in the news?

 

[Sheerin]

I just did a search in google and I found several press releases, but nothing major.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1100

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=18815&session=dae.3960672.1086577202.QMPaMsOa9dUAAAT-hvE&modele=jdc_1



I think this one flew under the radar becuase it was humitarian missions and it was after the end of the war (at least according to Bush).
Who knows, the media is a fickle bunch.

 

[291er]

The only Canadians officially in Iraq are ones serving on exchange with US Forces.  There are`nt many.  There could be a few staff officers or something serving in the CENTCOM HQ but other than that, we have not committed any ground forces.