Op IMPACT - Kuwait

Capt Charles Coxhead

November 2022

As Rotation 7 for Operation IMPACT comes to an end, LdSH(RC) soldiers are ready for a well-deserved break away from the endless summer of the desert. Since the start of the tour, soldiers have been participating in a plethora of multi-national operations. From Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq on Op IMPACT, Strathconas have been working together with many coalition forces within the JOA (Joint Operations Area) to increase national stability within fostering nations. Soldiers have had opportunities to experience and work along-side foreign militaries such as the US (United States), Lebanese, Jordanian, Kuwaiti, Italian, Danish and British.

JTF-I HQ (Joint Task Force-Impact Headquarters) Kuwait is the primary liaison between CJOC (Canadian Joint Operations Centre) in Ottawa and Op IMPACT in the Middle-East. Soldiers work together to ensure required information from JTF-I HQ and support from OSH-SWA (Operational Support Hub – South West Asia) are given to all CF (Canadian Forces) elements within the JOA as well as other operations surrounding Op IMPACT. Critical information must be passed to CJOC in Canada in a timely manner to guarantee operational effectiveness. Roto 7 has been successful in this goal from the ground up. Each soldier plays an essential role to Canadian/Op IMPACT’s strategic objectives no matter how small or large the tasks may be.

Besides work, Strathcona soldiers have proven themselves as the best ball hockey players within the JOA, undefeated by the Americans and Danish. Although there were many other contributing units to the success of the Canadians in hockey, LdSH(RC) sported the best players including the Canadian ball hockey league where the ‘Pit Vipers’ won the championship with majority of Strathconas being the members.