Defence Minister Rob Nicholson visits Kuwait

News Release

December 12, 2014 - Ottawa National - Defence

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C, M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence, concluded his visit to the State of Kuwait today. Minister Nicholson met with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members deployed on Operation IMPACT, Canada’s contribution to the international coalition assisting security forces in the Republic of Iraq in their fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). Minister Nicholson toured various deployed CAF locations, served dinner to troops and took part in town hall discussions while in Kuwait.

Minister Nicholson also had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, as well as Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Mohammed Khaled Al-Khuder to discuss military relations. While in the country, the Minister signed a non-legally binding Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) with Kuwaiti officials which outlined a mutual commitment for future broader bilateral Canada/Kuwait defence relations.

Quick Facts

Approximately 600 CAF personnel are deployed on Operation IMPACT as part of Joint Task Force-Iraq (JTF-I), including an air task force (Air Task Force-Iraq), liaison officers, and support elements such as command and control, medical personnel and logistics.
Air Task Force-Iraq (ATF-I) contributes to coalition air operations against ISIL aimed at degrading ISIL’s ability to carry out military operations against the people of the Republic of Iraq. The ATF-I includes six CF-188 Hornet fighter aircraft from 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta; one CC-150T Polaris aerial refueller from 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario to support air operations; and two CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft from 14 Wing, Greenwood, Nova Scotia to provide reconnaissance capabilities.
Canada is committed to deepening defence relations with Kuwait in mutually beneficial areas. The DCA signed between Canada and Kuwait is a non-legally binding document which outlines potential future areas of collaboration such as military training, defence and security policy, materiel cooperation, and military exchanges and ship visits.
In 2011, Canada established an Operational Support Detachment in Kuwait to support CAF operations in Afghanistan. Since that time the location was formally transformed to an Operational Support Hub and first activated in August 2014 for Operation IMPACT.

Quotes

“It was an honour to visit our men and women deployed to Kuwait to fight ISIL, a terrorist group that poses a major threat not only to the region, but also to us here in Canada. They are providing an invaluable contribution to the international coalition in a clear demonstration of the professionalism of our Canadian Armed Forces. Canada is also thankful for the friendship of the eminent people of Kuwait, who are graciously hosting our troops. Kuwait is a steadfast partner in enhancing security in the Gulf region, and we look forward to deepening our strong relationship in defence and security fields.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

Associated Links

Operation IMPACT

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Contacts

Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Office of the Minister of the Department of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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Defence Minister Rob Nicholson visits Kuwait

News Release

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