IRIS Independent Research - The Kosovo Campaign
IRIS Independent Research

IRISpress
Publications


The Kosovo Campaign:
Aerospace Power Made It Work

By Rebecca Grant

Published by the Air Force Association in September 1999, this Special Report demonstrates how aerospace power, as applied by the NATO allies in Operation Allied Force, was responsible for the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo.

The report begins with a brief history of the conflict that has plagued the region in recent years, then covers Milosevic's offensive into Kosovo and the attempts for a peace deal in Rambouillet. It goes on to systematically describe the military campaign from the planning stages to the ramp up of aircraft as the operation expanded. It includes tables of aircraft used and targets hit. It further gives special attention to the state of the Yugoslav air defense system at the time of the campaign and a review of the first operational use of the B-2 bomber.

The Kosovo Campaign considers, and ultimately rejects, claims which dismiss the importance of the air campaign in the ultimate peace that prevailed. Instead, the report concludes that key concepts of aerospace power, such as the need to establish aerospace superiority, were validated.

The full text of this report is available online at the Air Force Association website.


Home


Projects


Corporate Profile


GSA


Links