Fact Sheet on New US Aircraft Deployments to Kosovo
The Amer War Lib'y
Fact Sheet on New US Aircraft Deployments to Kosovo
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release June 2, 1999
FACT SHEET New U.S. Aircraft Deployments to Operation Allied Force and
U.S. Contributions to the Kosovo International Security Force (KFOR)
In his commencement address to graduates of the United States Air
Force Academy today, the President will announce a new deployment of
48 U.S. aircraft to augment Operation Allied Force, and a commitment
to contribute approximately 7,000 U.S. troops to an international
security force in Kosovo (KFOR). KFOR is being organized by NATO to
implement peace in Kosovo, and will number approximately 50,000 troops
total. The President's announcements reflect a determination, shared
by our allies, to persevere in the air campaign until NATO's
objectives are met, while preparing for an international peacekeeping
effort in Kosovo. The deployment of an additional 48 U.S. aircraft is
part of the 176-aircraft increase approved by Secretary of Defense
William Cohen on May 6, and supports the increased operational
requirements identified by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe,
General Wesley Clark. They include a squadron of F-16CJs (12 aircraft)
and two squadrons of F-15Es (36 aircraft total) from the U.S. Air
Force (USAF) Air Combat Command. The deployment of these additional
aircraft is taking place this week, and, together with 20 KC-135s from
the USAF Air Mobility Command, will bring the total number of U.S.
aircraft supporting Operation Allied Force to 769. The President's
commitment to contribute approximately 7,000 U.S. troops to KFOR
supports NATO's updated plan for the international security force.
KFOR's mission will be to deter renewed hostilities, to establish the
security necessary for refugees to return to Kosovo, and to restore
confidence for Kosovars of all ethnicities to begin rebuilding their
lives. To accomplish these objectives, it is essential that KFOR have
NATO at its core, meaning participation by NATO countries, NATO
command and control, and rules of engagement set by NATO. The
humanitarian crisis caused by Serbia's ethnic cleansing campaign has
prompted NATO to update its planning for KFOR. The required size of
the peacekeeping force has been adjusted from 28,000, as anticipated
in February, to approximately 50,000. Our NATO allies will provide the
vast bulk of the force, and we are also seeking contributions from
Russia and other non-NATO countries. The U.S. contribution will
comprise approximately 14 percent. The leading elements of KFOR are
already in the region, where they have been helping to provide relief
to refugees from Kosovo. This includes a NATO headquarters and 15,000
Allied troops in Macedonia, as well as 2,000 U.S. Marines in a Marine
Expeditionary Unit in the Adriatic. These forces already provide an
initial capability to move into Kosovo within a few hours once
Belgrade accepts NATO's conditions and begins to withdraw its
forces...."
Brooke Rowe, Correspondent
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