NATO Escalates Air Campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia

Strategic Insights -

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has increased its air campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia in response to continued violence by Serb forces. On February 28, 1994, U.S. Air Force F-16s shot down four Serb warplanes violating the United Nations-declared 'no-fly zone' over Bosnia. The following months saw repeated air strikes targeting Serb positions, including heavy weapons depots, anti-aircraft missile sites, and ammunition storage facilities. The intensity of the campaign escalated in August 1995, with a wave of NATO warplanes pounding Serb air defense, radar, and munitions sites around Sarajevo.

Key Takeaways:

  • February 28, 1994: U.S. Air Force F-16s shot down four Serb warplanes violating the UN-declared 'no-fly zone' over Bosnia.
  • April 10-11, 1994: U.S. Air Force and Marine jets bombed and strafed Serb targets at the request of UN military observers in Gorazde, a Muslim city under siege by the Serbs.
  • August 5, 1994: Dutch, French, British, and U.S. aircraft targeted heavy weapons seized by Serb forces; U.S. A-10 aircraft strafed an anti-tank gun.
  • September 22, 1994: U.S. and British fighters bombed a Serb tank after the Serbs attacked a French armored personnel carrier.
  • November 21, 1994: NATO aircraft attacked the Udbina airfield in the Serb-held region of Croatia in response to Serb air attacks on the Bihac area of neighboring Bosnia.
  • November 23, 1994: NATO aircraft attacked two Serb anti-aircraft missile sites in Bosnia.
  • May 25-26, 1995: NATO aircraft bombed a Serb ammunition depot at Pale in retaliation for Serb shelling of U.N.-protected cities.
  • August 30, 1995: NATO warplanes pounded Serb air defense, radar, and munitions sites around Sarajevo.

Statistics:

  • 4 Serb warplanes shot down by U.S. Air Force F-16s on February 28, 1994.
  • 2 Serb planes escaped on February 28, 1994.
  • Total hours of air strikes by NATO aircraft in August 1995: over 800.
  • Targets hit by NATO aircraft in the Sarajevo area on August 30, 1995: 15 air defense sites, 7 radar stations, and 3 munitions storage facilities.

Sources:

  • United Press International, February 28, 1994
  • United Press International, April 10-11, 1994
  • United Press International, August 5, 1994
  • United Press International, September 22, 1994
  • United Press International, November 21, 1994
  • United Press International, November 23, 1994
  • United Press International, May 25-26, 1995
  • United Press International, August 30, 1995