In August 1990, war erupted when Iraq invaded Kuwait.  On 9 August 1990, Canada sent the 119^th Air Defence Battery, RCA, to the Persian Gulf.  They were to provide air defence for three Canadian Naval ships in the Arabian Gulf.  The ships were part of Operation Friction, Canada's UN commitment.

Canada stationed the 119^th Air Defence Battery on these ships, and the battery held Javelin missile live-fire practice in September 1990.  Canadian ships arrived in the Persian Gulf on 23 September 1990 and completed UN Patrol duties, including boarding ships, as part of Iraq's embargo.

The 119^th Air Defence Battery did not fire at enemy aircraft.  On 13 March 1991, they returned to Canada.  Canadian ground units saw no combat and reported no casualties during the First Gulf War.