The Navy Today
The Gulf War

In 1990-1991, as the Cold War was ending, the navy played a central role in Canada's involvement in the United States-led international coalition that ousted Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein from Kuwait.

HMCS Huron, 1990

HMCS Huron, seen here at Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1990, with HMCS Kootenay in the background, was sent to the Persian Gulf in early 1991.

With their ship in refit in August 1990 when Canadian vessels were initially sent to the Gulf, Huron's crew was scheduled to replace the crew aboard HMCS Athabaskan in early 1991. Huron sailed from Esquimalt to Halifax, Nova Scotia in January 1991 for crew training. Changed plans led to the decision to send Huron and HMCS Restigouche to the Gulf, necessitating extensive upgrades before Huron's departure in late February.

VR995.56.66
CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum