Current/Last Primary MOS
2602-Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Officer
Current/Last MOSGroup
Signals Intelligence
Previously Held MOS 0341-Mortar Man
2111-Small Arms Repairer/Technician
8541-Scout-Sniper
0241-Imagery Interpretation Specialist
0205-Tactical Intelligence Officer
4130-Marine Corps Exchange Officer
Description The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) during the Kosovo War. The air strikes lasted from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999. The official NATO operation code name was Operation Allied Force; the United States called it Operation Noble Anvil, while in Yugoslavia the operation was incorrectly called "Merciful Angel", as a result of a misunderstanding or mistranslation. The bombings continued until an agreement was reached that led to the withdrawal of Yugoslav armed forces from Kosovo and the establishment of United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), a UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
NATO claimed that the Albanian population in Kosovo were being persecuted by FRY forces, Serbian police, and Serb paramilitary forces, and that military action was needed to force the FRY to stop. NATO countries attempted to gain authorization from the United Nations Security Council for military action, but were opposed by China and Russia that indicated they would veto such a proposal. NATO launched a campaign without UN authorization, which it described as a humanitarian intervention. The FRY described the NATO campaign as an illegal war of aggression against a sovereign country that was in violation of international law because it did not have UN Security Council support.
The bombing killed between 489 and 528 civilians, and destroyed bridges, industrial plants, public buildings, private businesses, as well as barracks and military installations.
The NATO bombing marked the second major combat operation in its history, following the 1995 NATO bombing campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the first time that NATO had used military force without the approval of the UN Security Council.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
March / 1999
To Month/Year
June / 1999
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember Maj James Stewart Capt Jeanne Woodfin Capt Pat Owens Maj Zaorski Maj Zimmerman Capt Mike Recce Capt Robinson Maj Suhrie Maj Meisenheimer Capt Law Capt Moore Capt Grischkowsky Capt Devero Capt Anderson Capt Schutz Capt Caruso Gy Raap Gy Campbell SSgt Istre Sgt Heath Cpl Gomez Cpl Munro Cpl Stewart Cpl Walsh Cpl Proulx Cpl Washburn