Participating assets

9.1. A list of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary units which participated in Kosovo-related operations is at Annex B.

HMS SPLENDID and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles

HMS INVINCIBLE and the contribution of Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers

9.3. The aircraft carrier HMS INVINCIBLE was on passage through the Mediterranean on her return from operational duty in the Gulf when the decision was taken on 9 April to divert her to operations in the Balkans. Her Sea Harrier F-A2s conducted 102 Combat Air Patrol missions as part of Operation ALLIED FORCE, and it was therefore possible for multi-roled aircraft which would otherwise have been given these missions to be switched to other tasks. In addition, INVINCIBLE’s helicopters supported humanitarian relief operations in Albania. Throughout the campaign UK, French and, in particular US, aircraft carriers demonstrated remarkable flexibility and their unique ability to deliver air power where airfields are in short supply or unavailable.

Ordnance clearance operations

9.4. Three Royal Navy ships contributed to the NATO operation to clear ordnance jettisoned by NATO aircraft in the Adriatic during the air campaign for safety reasons: HMS BULLDOG (a Coastal Survey Vessel) acted as a command platform, and HM Ships ATHERSTONE and SANDOWN took direct part in the operations. Operation ALLIED HARVEST surveyed all the declared jettison areas, and disposed of detected ordnance. HMS SANDOWN proved to be of particular value, being the only NATO minehunter available for much of the operation for disposals in deeper water.

Other naval operations

9.5. The Type 23 frigate HMS SOMERSET, subsequently relieved by HMS GRAFTON on 26 April, broke new ground by operating as part of the French FOCH aircraft carrier Task Group in the Adriatic, as escorts to the French aircraft carrier and patrolling the area.

9.6. Type 23 frigates HMS IRON DUKE and HMS NORFOLK were deployed to the region as part of NATO Standing Naval Forces patrolling the area and keeping the Yugoslav navy under constant surveillance. The submarine HMS TURBULENT also contributed to NATO operations in the Adriatic.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary/Maritime Strategic Lift

9.7. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) played an important role in deploying and sustaining UK forces in the region. The two chartered but RFA operated Roll-on Roll-off vessels, RFAs SEA CENTURION and SEA CRUSADER, were both fully occupied from early 1999 onwards deploying Army assets to the region in preparation for KFOR.

9.8. RFA ARGUS was deployed to the region in May 1999, providing a platform for helicopter operations, with the capability to act, if required, as a casualty reception facility. It was not in the event required for the latter task. Helicopters based on the ship made a useful contribution to the humanitarian relief effort in Albania, as well as to maritime operations in the Adriatic.

Command arrangements

9.9. HMS SPLENDID remained wholly under national command throughout the operation. The UK Carrier Task Group remained under the Operational Command of the Chief of Joint Operations at Northwood. Command of the vessels in NATO Standing Forces was delegated to the Force Commanders through the NATO Chain of Command. UK ships in the French FOCH Task Group were under French Operational Control.