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Magic Light Publishing Ottawa ISBN 1894673166 2004. Includes a DVD video. Within the Canadian Forces, the Navy made the largest contribution to the War on Terrorism with 16 major warships and 4,000 sailors deployed over a two-year period-practically the entire navy was sent to the Arabian Sea. Canadian warships were among the first assets deployed to the War on terrorism and we were the third largest contributor after the US and the UK. Dr. Gimblett's book tells the story of the tireless and selfless efforts of thousands of Canadian sailors who participated in this critical campaign in and around the Arabian Sea, and whose role was pivotal to the mission's success from North America to Europe. This book is the result of quite an effort that included visiting the Persian Gulf region by the author. The author says that this period was the second "Golden Age" of the Canadian Navy; a point that is certainly debatable. The author was also an officer onboard HMCS Protecteur in the first Gulf War in 1991. Protecteur successfully conducted a crew swap with the crew of sister HMCS Preserver flown into theater with original crew flying home to crew the latter. An explanation of why was not done during Operation Apollo would certainly have been warranted. The inability to field enough Sea King helicopters is glossed over without criticism by the author. The deployment of HMCS Algonquin with no helicopters from Esquimalt was met with incredulity by writers and analysts in the US and elsewhere. When the now scrapped HMCS Provider was on the West Coast, she would routinely embark a USNR Sea King for training. One can only assume this was no longer done to avoid embarrassment to former Prime Minister Jean Chretien. A few minor quibbles with the book:
The book is profusely illustrated with color photographs and artwork from John Horton, a well known marine artist from Steveston BC. Anyone interested in Canadian naval history will like this work. It is recommended.
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