Operation Allied Force
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Operation Allied Force was the military response of NATO to the 1999 Kosovo crisis, and the first major combat operation in NATO history.
Proclaimed goal of the operation was to protect the Kosovo Albanian people from alleged aggression by the military of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbian police forces. That goal was not fulfilled, because NATO did not wish to risk any ground forces to protect these people. Instead, NATO used a showy (but low-risk) air campaign to destroy Serbian targets. While this did hurt Yugoslavia and set the stage for the downfall of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, it did little to protect the Kosovo Albanians that NATO claimed to be protecting, as thousands were killed in the conflict with Serbs. Critics of the operation point out that indeed most of the atrocities happened after NATO started the air campaign.
Several flaws in Nato's campaign and warring style was revealed. While Nato believed it had destroyed about 200 Serbian tanks, only 1 was destroyed. The Serbs used several tactics for disguising their tanks, including balloon-tanks and old tires to make tank-looking objects, which Nato bombed. The real tanks were well hidden. The main element of the operation was the air forces of NATO. 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 also 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.
The naval side took place in the Adriatic and saw the first time the British Royal Navy (RN) employed the use of cruise missiles, operated off of the nuclear fleet submarine HMS Splendid. The RN's task force also included 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. 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 aicraft carrier FS Foch and a number of escorts.
On 10 June, after a bombing campaign that had began on 24 March, the Serbians agreed to withdraw its forces from Kosovo and the bombing campaign was suspended the following day. On 12 June the British 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles and The Parachute Regiment and French forces spearheaded the NATO forces entering Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian.
In December 2002 HM Queen Elizabeth II approved the awarding of the Battle Honour "Kosovo" to squadrons of the RAF that participated in the conflict. These were: Nos 1,7, 8, 9, 14, 23, 31, 51, 101, and 216 squadrons. Squadrons that are boldened are authorised to have the battle honour emblazoned on their Colours.