The gulf war

[vonGarvin]

At the time, the government was seriously considering sending 4 CMBG (or other units, but most likely them) to a ground combat role in Iraq in 1990/91.  The government was a conservative gov't under Mulroney (father of the dude on Canadian Idol!).  At that time, a dove amongst the hawks said publically that "our armed forces aren't designed for that kind of combat".  Naturally it was Joe Clark, who had totally forgottten that 4 CMBG was at that time in Germany, fully manned to roughly 110% of authorised strength and "designed" to fend of wave after wave of Soviet Tank Divisions!  I think that he thought that the Iraqi army was somehow BETTER than the Soviet forces in the former German Democratic Republic!!!!!!  
That's why we were not employed in an offensive ground role.
Having said all that, our navy and air force did stellar jobs over there.
4 CMBG:
3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
1st Battalion, the Royal 22nd Regiment
Royal Canadian Dragoons (armoured)
1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
4th Combat Engineer Regiment
4 Service Battalion
444 Helicopter Squadron
Did I miss anything guys?

 

[Infantree]

I'm really confused because, RCR is part of 2CMBG and the van doos are part of 5 CMBG, How could they be part of 4CMBG too. It must of been different back then i guess. I think its stupid that one guy could pursue the government not to send a combat brigade.

 

[vonGarvin]

OK, each regiment has several battalions.  The RCR has four: three in the regular force, one in the reserve force.
In 1990, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment was in London Ontario, and was part of the Special Service Force (forerunner to 2 CMBG)
2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment was in Gagetown, NB, and was part of 5e Groupe Brigade Mecanisee du Canada
3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment was in Baden Söllingen, Federal Republic of Germany, part of 4th Canadian Mechanised Brigade.
4th Battlion, The Royal Canadian Regiment was in London Ontario and Stratford, Ontario, and was part of London Militia District.
1 PPCLI was in Calgary, 2 PPCLI was in Winnipeg and 3 PPCLI was in Victoria, all part of 1st Canadian Brigade Group.  There never was, and still isn't today, a reserve component to the PPCLI
1 R22eR was in Lahr, Germany, part of 4 CMBG
2 and 3 R22eR were in Quebec Province, one at BFC Valcartier and the other in Quebec City.  I can't remember which was where.  4 R22eR was in Quebec as well, but I'm not sure where, exactly.  Google it, and the truth shall set you free

1 RCHA is currently in Shilo, Manitoba
4 Service Battalion no longer exits, and neither do 4 CER or 444 squadron
1 R22eR was in 4 CMBG for about as long as 4 CMBG was in existence.  The other infantry battalion was at one time 3rd Mechanised Commando, The Canadian Airborne Regiment, then 3 RCR, then 2 PPCLI, then 3 RCR again.  Don't ask me for the dates, I can't remember them off hand.

 

[Infantree]

Anyone on this site that was in the gulf war. Regardless of army. US,UK,Canadian,France etc.

 

[Good2Golf]

Anyone on this site that was in the gulf war. Regardless of army. US,UK,Canadian,France etc.

Is that a question?  ???

 

[Blakey]

I think I can shed a little light on this topic:
I can unequivocally say that, Mike Coy from the Third Battalion of The RCR, participated in this "Operation". The first name we went under as OPERATION SCIMITAR, then it was changed to OPERATION FRICTION. We were there from Oct to Dec '90 and the Vandoos replaced us.

I was a Pte. and my primary role was AVGP Driver.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

the proof is in the medal

 

[Blakey]

the proof is in the medal

Proof of what?

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That you were there silly.

 

[Blakey]

That you were there silly.

Will a photo of my well worn T be enough?  ;D

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/shutterbug666/PICT0093.jpg

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That first pic is smaller then a penny.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Canadian participation has been well documented both online and in literature, Infantry. I am not sure why you are having difficulty finding out this information....

 

[Blakey]

That first pic is smaller then a penny.

oops, wrong size
This is the one
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/shutterbug666/PICT0092.jpg

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

same size, I guess that course the army sent you on was a waste  >

 

[Blakey]

same size, I guess that course the army sent you on was a waste  >

Grrrrr, New PC, no Photochop on itor Imaging editing software. Photobucket resized...
http://forums.army.ca/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=23624

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Damn your ugly.  You have have a flash for a head.

 

[Centurian1985]

So only 2 companies participated in the gulf ground war. That's BS. We should have deployed at least a regiment, or even a brigade.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Operation_Desert_Storm.jpg

The two RCR companies were bored out of their minds doing guard duty and primary airfield defence force for the air force components in Qatar.  Lots of other Canadians in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.  Closest we got to action was some Engineers in Kuwait after the Iraqis pulled out checking for boobytraps and mines. 

Oh wait, we had a CF-18 try to take out an Iraqi merchant vessel with an AIM-9.  That was worth a laugh.

 

[Blackadder1916]

At the time, the government was seriously considering sending 4 CMBG (or other units, but most likely them) to a ground combat role in Iraq in 1990/91.  ....
4 CMBG:
3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
1st Battalion, the Royal 22nd Regiment
Royal Canadian Dragoons (armoured)
1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
4th Combat Engineer Regiment
4 Service Battalion
444 Helicopter Squadron
Did I miss anything guys?

4 HQ & Sigs Squadron
4 Field Ambulance - deployed to Ramstein AFB during the war in support of US medevac ops and to Southern Turkey/Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) afterwards for refugee ops
4 Military Police Platoon

 

[Fdtrucker]

In 1990 the RCD's were in Petawawa under the SSF and the 8th Canadian Hussars were part of 4 CMBG.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Oh wait, we had a CF-18 try to take out an Iraqi merchant vessel with an AIM-9.  That was worth a laugh.

Actually is it was Iraqi navy patrol boat and they fired two AIM7s at it and because they could not get a radar lock on it with the Sparrows they strafed it causing heavy damage. Yes I am sure it was worth a laugh to those pilots that were taking return fire from the FPB. :