Twenty years ago the first conflict started by the Atlantic Alliance from its foundation began.
Symptomatic is the fact that the events in the Balkans occur at the end of what the political scientists have called the decade of American unilateralism (the United States is the only remaining superpower). The 90 years, in fact, have been characterized by numerous humanitarian interventions, led by the United States, in defense of violated human rights, inaugurating that policy of interference in the internal affairs of the States that will herald the current historical phase of international relations.
The 24 March 1999, after months of violent repression by the Serbian government, against the KLA guerrillas (Ushtria Klirimtare and Kosoves, Kosovo Liberation Army), but which also involved the non-fighting Albanian minority, the NATO ALLIED FORCE operation begins. Initially the attacks involve about 460 aircraft - of which 240 Americans - of 13 Countries, the purpose is that of obliging the Government of Belgrade to withdraw its troops from Kosovo.
Italy's contribution was substantial (the then Executive in office was led by Massimo D'Alema and supported by a center-left majority) with more than 50 aircraft, of which 12 F-104 ASA-M, 8 TORNADO ADV ( leased by RAF, including medium-range air-to-air missiles SKY FLASH), 6 TORNADO SEAD (for suppression of radar installations), 10 TORNADO IDS, 12 AMX (used in CAS / RECCE missions) and 4 AV8B HARRIER II PLUS.
The first clash takes place by a Dutch F-16 fighter, escorted by a group of French MIRAGES (photos), taken off from the Amendola base in Puglia, which shoot down a MIG-29. In the first two days of operations, the Alliance completes 400 missions - most aircraft take off from the Aviano base - hitting 50 targets in Serbian territory.
On March 27 a USAF F-117 crashes (perhaps shot down by a SA-3 surface-to-air missile) northwest of Belgrade near the Hungarian border, the day after the pilot is rescued by an MH-53J SUPER STALLION taken off from the LHA NASSAU.
In the night between the 27 and the 28, 253 missions are performed by 66 aircraft hitting 17 targets.
The 29 Serbs are destroyed on the ground 7 MIG-29, on the same day the ground attack missions of the A-10 THUNDERBOLT II begin.
The 2 April will enter into action for the first time the B-1 LANCER strategic bombers. The following day the capital Belgrade is bombed, while the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ROOSEVELT arrives in the Adriatic.
The 6 a group of British A-10 and HARRIER aircraft attack Serbian armored columns in Kosovo for the first time, destroying numerous vehicles, including some MBT M-84.
The 7 are carried out 439 sorties by striking 28 targets.
After three weeks of operations, the balance of ALLIED FORCE speaks of 5.924 air missions, 1.687 of which involved the release of bombs, the 50% of the sorties have been canceled due to bad weather.
The 14 an American F-16 fighter accidentally hits a column of refugees escorted by Serbian soldiers in the Djakovica area, the victims are about 75 (photo).
Throughout this period of war activity, Serbia tries to improve its defensive device, even in the event of a land attack by the Alliance armies.
On the border between Kosovo and Macedonia, Belgrade troops bury tanks and build defensive barriers, some sources speak of wooden silhouettes of military vehicles used to deceive NATO pilots (the Serbs would, with the reservists, dispose of 150.000 soldiers and about 2.000 carts and artillery pieces of various caliber).
During the night between the 20 and the 21, three TOMAHAWK cruise missiles were launched during the night, launched by the navigational units in the Adriatic, the Ceka skyscraper in Belgrade, home of President Milosevic's socialist party.
The 22 another three missiles hit and destroy the private residence of the Serbian president, while on the night of the 23 a missile hits the headquarters of the state television Rts, the victims are 15 plus thirty wounded.
Hungary and Romania grant overflight to NATO airspace; in Albania the Americans begin to deploy the AH-64D APACHE attack helicopters, along with the CHINOOK and BLACKHAWK. While in Macedonia, Alliance troops stationed at the Kosovan border reach the 16.000 units: clear signs of a possible land attack, in case the only air campaign is ineffective.
On April 26, General Clark, Supreme Commander of the Alliance, asks the Alliance countries for the availability of other 400 aircraft. So far, NATO aircraft have accomplished more than 11.000 missions, of which over attack 4.000, causing dead 400 and injured 4.000 between the ranks.
At the end of April, the GARIBALDI aircraft carrier was operational in the Adriatic, with six HARRIERS, two SH-3Ds and two AB-212s armed with MARTE anti-ship missiles.
The 2 and 3 in May, power plants that supply energy to all of Serbia are hit with graphite bombs. Slovakia announces the opening of its territory to the possible passage of NATO troops.
On the night of the 8 the Chinese Embassy is struck by mistake, among the diplomatic personnel there are 5 dead and 20 injured.
On the date of the 13 in May NATO missions are 20.000, of which 5.000 is bombing with the release of 10.000 ordnance. At the end of the month, NATO missions reach 772's record number in one day, including 323 ground attack and 92 against Serbian radar stations. The international court in The Hague accuses the president of Serbia Milosevic of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The June 2 US Congress decides to send other 7.000 soldiers 68 aircraft to Europe to support operations in Kosovo. The Serbian Parliament meets the following day and, with 136 favorable and 74 votes against, accepts the peace plan. Serbian President Milosevic gives his assent to the parliamentary resolution. Despite the Serbian declaration of surrender, NATO is carrying out 630 during the day, with 284 bombings and the launch of 70 missiles.
According to data held by NATO, the Serbs would have had, in 72 days of war, dead 5.000 and injured 10.000, between military and civilians.
The total of air missions exceeds the number of 32.000 of which 20.000 with the launch of bombs.
The 5 may be stalled during operations to withdraw Serbian troops from Kosovo, an essential condition for the cessation of air strikes. The next day a violent battle broke out along the Albanian border between the Serbian forces and the KLA guerrillas, NATO planes accomplished more than 400 CAS (Close Air Support) missions in support of the Kosovar fighters.
The 10 in May Serbian forces really begin to abandon Kosovo, thus concludes the operation ALLIED FORCE, after 79 days of air strikes with over 34.000 missions (1.200 those made by Italian aircraft).
Photo: Petar Milošević / web
