Operation Haven was model for new-look expeditionary armed forces, says former Royal Marines chief In 38 days more humanitarian relief was provided to the Kurds facing reprisals from Saddam Hussein than in the whole of the Berlin airlift 10 April 2021 • 6:42pm A Royal Marine pictured with Kurdish children during Operation Haven, Northern Iraq, 1991. Credit: PH3 James R. Klein Britain’s new look army should reduce the number of people joining terrorist groups as a result of our actions, a former head of the Royal Marines has said. The success of Operation Haven - launched 30 years ago this week - is a model for the new expeditionary focus of Britain’s armed forces, says former General Andy Salmon.