Operation Allied Force

Operation Allied Force was NATO's military operation against Yugoslavia in the spring of 1999. It was only the second major combat operation in NATO's history, following the September 1995 Operation Deliberate Force in Bosnia.

Forces employed by NATO

Aviation

The main element of the operation was the air forces of NATO, principally drawn from the United States Air Force. The British Royal Air Force operated the Harrier and Tornado fighter jets as-well as an array of support aircraft. The fighters were armed with guided missiles, including the Paveway series, and were also armed with unguided 'dumb' bombs. The war saw the first time that the German Luftwaffe actively participated in combat operations since the end of the Second World War and the American B-2 Spirit stealth bomber also saw its first combat.

Related Topics:
United States Air Force - Harrier - Tornado - Paveway - Luftwaffe - Second World War - B-2 Spirit

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Naval

NATO naval forces operated in the Adriatic. The United States Navy provided a substantial naval task force that included the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge. The French Navy provided the aircraft carrier FS Foch and a number of escorts. The British Royal Navy sent a substantial task force including the aicraft carrier HMS Invincible, operating Sea Harrier FA2 fighter jets. The RN also deployed a number of destroyers and frigates and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) provided support vessels, including the aviation training/primary casualty receiving ship RFA Argus. It was the first time that the RN used cruise missiles in combat, operated from the nuclear fleet submarine HMS Splendid.

Related Topics:
Adriatic - United States Navy - USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'' - USS ''Kearsarge'' - French Navy - FS ''Foch - Royal Navy - HMS ''Invincible'' - Sea Harrier FA2 - Destroyer - Frigate - Royal Fleet Auxiliary - RFA ''Argus'' - Cruise missile - HMS ''Splendid''

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