“Operation Scimitar” was Canada's contribution to the Allies actions initially with OP FRICTION against Saddam's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
“Operation Scimitar” saw approximately 4,500 CF personnel deployed to the Persian Gulf from August 1990 – February 1991 with a peak deployment of 2,700 personnel during the Gulf War in January 1991.
Personnel were primarily attached to four units in the Persian Gulf region:
- Canadian Task Group at sea;
- the Canadian Air Task Group in Doha, Qatar;
- the Joint Headquarters, Canadian Forces Middle East, in Manama, Bahrain;
- First Canadian Field Hospital at Al-Qaysumah.