Gulf War 1 - POW reunion Print

[Squadron Prints]

On 2 August 1990, 100,000 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait. Spearheaded by three Republican Guard divisions, the operation was well organised with coordinated assaults by helicopter, amphibious landing craft and Special Forces. The invasion was widely condemned and in November 1990 the UN Security Council set a deadline of 15 January 1991 for the Iraqi forces to withdraw from Kuwait. On the night of 16/17 January 1991, coalition air forces began a series of strikes which would continue unabated until the Iraqi surrender on 28 February after an astonishing ground offensive lasting just 100 hours. During the campaign, the Iraqis captured several dozen Allied prisoners. Some aviators and soldiers were captured in the first days of the conflict, others at the very end. Forty-four Allied prisoners were returned to their home countries in early March. These returned POWs formed the 5th Allied POW Squadron. The 5th Squadron follows the 4th Allied POW Wing of the Vietnam War and follows those formed after World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The motto “Return With Honor” is used as it was after the Vietnam War to indicate the strength and resolve shown by the prisoners during captivity.

Some 25 years after Gulf War 1 a unique gathering of Gulf War 1 Prisoners of War took place at The Royal Air Force Club on the 20th February, 2016.
This collective consisted of former members of
The Royal Air Force, the United States Air Force, The United States Navy, The United States Marine Corps, The United States Army along with other Military Warriors, Families and Friends.
Also in attendance were Sir John Major, the then Prime Minster, The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, the current Secretary of State for Defence, and well-known journalist and newsreader Mark Austin. There were also representatives from Martin Baker, Finmecannia, BAe Systems and MBDA, all companies who played an important role during the war.
In 1991 these National Heroes were united in various buildings throughout Iraq after incidents, which saw them classed as Prisoners of War. Once released, they formed The 5th ALLIED PRISONER OF WAR Squadron. Through much adversity, trauma and torture, they became good friends and kept in touch. There has only been 1 other joint meeting similar to this and that was held on the 10th Anniversary in Washington. At that event a bond was made to meet again on the 25th Anniversary which,, true to their word, took place on the 20th February, 2016.

This print reflects the ex POWs that were in attendance at this unique 25th event

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