{
  "context": {
    "blocks": [
      { "id": "c1", "type": "heading", "level": 1, "text": "Historical Context: The Road to War" },
      { "id": "c2", "type": "paragraph", "text": "On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces under President Saddam Hussein crossed the border into neighbouring Kuwait, overwhelming its small military in a matter of hours. The invasion shocked the international community and triggered an unprecedented diplomatic and military response. Within days, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 660, condemning the invasion and demanding an immediate, unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces." },
      { "id": "c3", "type": "statistics", "stats": [
        { "number": "34", "label": "Coalition Nations" },
        { "number": "12", "label": "UN Resolutions" },
        { "number": "43", "label": "Days Air Campaign" },
        { "number": "100", "label": "Hours Ground War" }
      ]},
      { "id": "c4", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Iraqi Invasion Routes", "lat": 29.8, "lng": 47.9, "zoom": 8 },
      { "id": "c5", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Canada's Diplomatic Response" },
      { "id": "c6", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Canada was among the first nations to condemn Iraq's aggression and commit forces to the coalition. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced on August 10, 1990 that Canada would deploy naval vessels to the Persian Gulf as part of the multinational force. This decision reflected Canada's longstanding commitment to collective security and the rule of international law." },
      { "id": "c7", "type": "quote", "text": "Canada will not stand idly by while a small nation is crushed by its neighbour in clear violation of international law.", "author": "Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, August 1990" },
      { "id": "c8", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Coalition Force Positions", "lat": 27.0, "lng": 50.0, "zoom": 6 },
      { "id": "c9", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Operation Desert Shield" },
      { "id": "c10", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Operation Desert Shield — the build-up phase from August 1990 to January 1991 — saw the massing of over 700,000 coalition troops in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region. Canada contributed naval, air, and later ground forces, making it one of the most significant Canadian military deployments since the Korean War." },
      { "id": "c11", "type": "image", "src": "https://placehold.co/800x450/2c3e50/ffffff?text=Coalition+Forces+Assembling", "alt": "Coalition forces assembling in Saudi Arabia", "caption": "Coalition forces assembling in Saudi Arabia, late 1990. Canada contributed 4,500 personnel across naval, air, and ground components." }
    ]
  },
  "rcaf": {
    "blocks": [
      { "id": "r1", "type": "heading", "level": 1, "text": "RCAF Desert Cats: 409 Squadron" },
      { "id": "r2", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Canada's air contribution to the Gulf War was led by 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron. Known as the 'Nighthawks,' the squadron's CF-18 Hornets were deployed to Doha, Qatar, where they formed the core of Canada's Gulf War air contingent — the Desert Cats. From their base at Canada Dry 1, pilots flew Combat Air Patrol and, later, offensive strike missions deep into Iraq." },
      { "id": "r3", "type": "statistics", "stats": [
        { "number": "26", "label": "CF-18 Hornets" },
        { "number": "2,700+", "label": "Sorties Flown" },
        { "number": "5", "label": "Months Deployed" },
        { "number": "0", "label": "Aircraft Lost" }
      ]},
      { "id": "r4", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Doha Air Base (Canada Dry 1)", "lat": 25.27, "lng": 51.61, "zoom": 10 },
      { "id": "r5", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "From Defence to Offence" },
      { "id": "r6", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Initially tasked with Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions protecting the naval fleet, the Desert Cats transitioned to offensive strike operations after Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991. CF-18 pilots flew interdiction missions targeting Iraqi airfields, radar sites, and command infrastructure — a significant shift that required rapid retraining and aircraft modification." },
      { "id": "r7", "type": "quote", "text": "We went from protecting the fleet to striking deep into Iraq. The transition was fast, but the training paid off. The Desert Cats were ready.", "author": "Pilot, 409 Squadron" },
      { "id": "r8", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "The TNC-45 Engagement" },
      { "id": "r9", "type": "paragraph", "text": "On January 30, 1991, two CF-18s from 409 Squadron engaged and sank an Iraqi Zhuk-class patrol vessel, the TNC-45, in the northern Persian Gulf. It was the first time Canadian aircraft had destroyed an enemy vessel since the Second World War — a historic moment for the RCAF and a demonstration of the Desert Cats' combat effectiveness." },
      { "id": "r10", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show TNC-45 Engagement Site", "lat": 29.14, "lng": 48.13, "zoom": 9 },
      { "id": "r11", "type": "grid4", "images": [
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/400x300/3498db/ffffff?text=CF-18+Hornet", "alt": "CF-18 Hornet", "caption": "CF-18 Hornet in Desert Cats livery" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/400x300/2980b9/ffffff?text=Doha+Air+Base", "alt": "Doha Air Base", "caption": "Canada Dry 1, Doha, Qatar" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/400x300/1a5276/ffffff?text=Desert+Cats+Patch", "alt": "Desert Cats patch", "caption": "409 Squadron Desert Cats patch" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/400x300/154360/ffffff?text=Mission+Briefing", "alt": "Mission briefing", "caption": "Pre-mission briefing, 1991" }
      ]}
    ]
  },
  "rcn": {
    "blocks": [
      { "id": "n1", "type": "heading", "level": 1, "text": "RCN Task Group: Naval Blockade Operations" },
      { "id": "n2", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Canada was among the first nations to respond to the Gulf Crisis with a naval contribution. Three Royal Canadian Navy vessels — HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Terra Nova, and HMCS Protecteur — were dispatched to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Friction. Together they formed Canadian Task Group 302.3, operating under the Maritime Interception Force." },
      { "id": "n3", "type": "statistics", "stats": [
        { "number": "3", "label": "RCN Vessels" },
        { "number": "1,000+", "label": "Sailors Deployed" },
        { "number": "160+", "label": "Ships Challenged" },
        { "number": "8", "label": "Months at Sea" }
      ]},
      { "id": "n4", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Naval Operations Area", "lat": 27.0, "lng": 50.5, "zoom": 7 },
      { "id": "n5", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "HMCS Terra Nova: A Remarkable Transformation" },
      { "id": "n6", "type": "paragraph", "text": "One of the most significant operational achievements was the rapid conversion of HMCS Terra Nova into a guided-missile destroyer. Canadian naval technicians worked around the clock to retrofit the vessel with modern anti-aircraft missile systems, significantly upgrading her capability for the high-threat Persian Gulf environment. The conversion was completed in record time." },
      { "id": "n7", "type": "image", "src": "https://placehold.co/800x450/2c3e50/ffffff?text=HMCS+Terra+Nova", "alt": "HMCS Terra Nova in the Persian Gulf", "caption": "HMCS Terra Nova operating in the Persian Gulf, 1990–91. The vessel underwent rapid modifications to enhance her missile defence capability." },
      { "id": "n8", "type": "quote", "text": "The men and women of the task group performed extraordinary work under pressure. What they achieved in those weeks of preparation was remarkable.", "author": "Commodore Ken Summers, CTG 302.3 Commander" },
      { "id": "n9", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Maritime Interception Force" },
      { "id": "n10", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Canada's naval task group formed a key part of the Maritime Interception Force (MIF), enforcing the UN-mandated blockade of Iraq. Canadian vessels challenged hundreds of merchant ships, and the task group was recognised for its professionalism and effectiveness in this complex multinational operation at sea." },
      { "id": "n11", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show HMCS Task Group Position", "lat": 26.23, "lng": 50.59, "zoom": 9 }
    ]
  },
  "army": {
    "blocks": [
      { "id": "a1", "type": "heading", "level": 1, "text": "Canadian Army: Medical & Security Forces" },
      { "id": "a2", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Canada's army contribution to the Gulf War centred on two primary missions: the deployment of 1 Canadian Field Hospital to Saudi Arabia, and the provision of security forces to protect coalition installations. Together, these elements brought Canada's ground commitment to over 1,200 personnel operating in one of the most hostile environments in the world." },
      { "id": "a3", "type": "statistics", "stats": [
        { "number": "530+", "label": "Hospital Personnel" },
        { "number": "600", "label": "Bed Capacity" },
        { "number": "500+", "label": "Security Forces" },
        { "number": "0", "label": "Canadian Fatalities" }
      ]},
      { "id": "a4", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show 1 Canadian Field Hospital", "lat": 28.43, "lng": 46.09, "zoom": 9 },
      { "id": "a5", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "1 Canadian Field Hospital" },
      { "id": "a6", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Established at Al-Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia, 1 Canadian Field Hospital (1 CFH) was one of the most capable coalition medical facilities in the theatre of operations. With a planned capacity of 600 beds, it included surgical, intensive care, and recovery wards staffed by some of Canada's finest medical personnel. The swift coalition victory meant the hospital treated fewer battlefield casualties than anticipated, but the hospital remained on standby throughout the conflict." },
      { "id": "a7", "type": "quote", "text": "We prepared for the worst. The training was intense, the equipment was first-class, and the people were exceptional. We were ready for whatever came our way.", "author": "Colonel John Abt, Commanding Officer, 1 Canadian Field Hospital" },
      { "id": "a8", "type": "image", "src": "https://placehold.co/800x450/27ae60/ffffff?text=1+Canadian+Field+Hospital", "alt": "1 Canadian Field Hospital, Al-Qaysumah", "caption": "1 Canadian Field Hospital at Al-Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia. The 530-person unit was fully operational and prepared for mass casualty scenarios." },
      { "id": "a9", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Security Operations in Bahrain" },
      { "id": "a10", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Members of the Royal Canadian Regiment and other army units provided security for coalition installations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. These operations, while less visible than combat missions, were essential to the smooth functioning of the broader coalition effort. Canadian soldiers maintained a professional presence and provided force protection in a tense and unpredictable environment." },
      { "id": "a11", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Bahrain Security Operations", "lat": 26.07, "lng": 50.56, "zoom": 10 }
    ]
  },
  "legacy": {
    "blocks": [
      { "id": "l1", "type": "heading", "level": 1, "text": "After the War: Veterans, Legacy & Long-Term Impact" },
      { "id": "l2", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Operation Desert Storm ended on February 28, 1991 — just 100 hours after the ground offensive began. The swift coalition victory liberated Kuwait and expelled Iraqi forces, but for thousands of Canadian veterans, the war's end was only the beginning of a longer struggle. Gulf War Syndrome, commemorations, peacekeeping deployments, and ongoing veteran support shaped the post-war legacy of Canada's participation." },
      { "id": "l3", "type": "statistics", "stats": [
        { "number": "4,449", "label": "Medals Awarded" },
        { "number": "4,500+", "label": "Veterans" },
        { "number": "700+", "label": "Gulf War Illness Claims" },
        { "number": "1991–2003", "label": "UNIKOM Service" }
      ]},
      { "id": "l4", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Gulf War Syndrome" },
      { "id": "l5", "type": "paragraph", "text": "In the years following the war, thousands of veterans across the coalition reported a range of unexplained illnesses — chronic fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive difficulties, and other debilitating symptoms. This cluster of conditions became known as Gulf War Syndrome. Canadian veterans fought for official recognition of their illnesses and improved healthcare support, a battle that continued for many years after they returned home." },
      { "id": "l6", "type": "quote", "text": "We served with honour and came home changed. The government needed to understand that the war didn't end when we crossed the ocean and came home.", "author": "Gulf War Veteran, Royal Canadian Regiment" },
      { "id": "l7", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show Veterans Affairs Canada", "lat": 45.42, "lng": -75.70, "zoom": 10 },
      { "id": "l8", "type": "heading", "level": 2, "text": "Peacekeeping & UNIKOM" },
      { "id": "l9", "type": "paragraph", "text": "Following the ceasefire, Canada contributed personnel to the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), established to monitor the demilitarised zone along the Iraq-Kuwait border. Canadian peacekeepers served with UNIKOM from 1991 until the mission's end in 2003, reflecting Canada's ongoing commitment to regional stability and the international rule of law." },
      { "id": "l10", "type": "map-button", "label": "Show UNIKOM Peacekeeping Zone", "lat": 30.05, "lng": 47.80, "zoom": 9 },
      { "id": "l11", "type": "gallery", "images": [
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/600x400/c0392b/ffffff?text=Medal+Parade", "alt": "Medal parade", "caption": "Veterans receiving Gulf War Service Medals" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/600x400/922b21/ffffff?text=Homecoming", "alt": "Homecoming ceremony", "caption": "Canadian troops returning home, 1991" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/600x400/76261d/ffffff?text=Commemorations", "alt": "Commemoration ceremony", "caption": "Annual Gulf War commemoration" },
        { "src": "https://placehold.co/600x400/4a1515/ffffff?text=UNIKOM+Service", "alt": "UNIKOM peacekeeping", "caption": "Canadian peacekeepers with UNIKOM, 1992" }
      ]}
    ]
  }
}