The tenth anniversary of the Kosovo air campaign

Published April 13, 2009
By Kevin Reiders
52nd Fighter Wing Historian

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Fighter Wing began Balkan Operations in July of 1993 with deployments to Aviano Air Base, Italy, for Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise. Operation Deliberate Force followed Operation Deny Flight in August and September 1995 with pilots from the 23rd Fighter Squadron becoming the first to employ high-speed anti-radiation missiles in combat. At the same time the 52nd FW simultaneously supported Operation Provide Comfort II from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Operations tempo was high in the mid-1990's, just as it is now, and led to development of the air and space expeditionary force rotation concept in 1997 and its adoption in August 1998.

Elements of the 52nd FW deployed to Aviano AB and Cervia Air Base, Italy, as part of a NATO multinational air presence during the mounting crisis in Kosovo Oct. 8, 1998. More personnel and aircraft deployed to Aviano AB Feb. 21, 1999, bringing the 52nd FW deployments to 23 F-16s, 8 A-10s, nearly 500 personnel and 300 tons of equipment. The 606th ACS deployed a convoy of more than 100 Airmen, 88 vehicles and 800 short tons of equipment more than 1,600 miles in a record-setting five days to Lecce, Italy.

The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Operation Allied Force, began March 24, 1999, with the American component called Operation Noble Anvil. On April 6, 1999, F-16s and F-117s at Spangdahlem AB flew the first combat sorties ever flown from the base -- and the first combat sorties flown from Germany since WWII.

Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe designated and activated the 52nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 52nd Expeditionary Operation Group April 14, 1999. The president, secretary of state, secretary of defense, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and Supreme Allied Commander Europe all visited Spangdahlem AB May 5, 1999. The 52nd AEW flew its last strikes June 8 and 9, and Operation Noble Anvil officially ended July 20. HQ USAFE inactivated the 52nd Air Expeditionary Wing and its subordinate expeditionary units Aug. 20, 1999.

When the 606th ACS redeployed after completing its mission it had conducted the longest overland convoy in Air Force history.

The 606th ACS received the Kosovo Air Campaign Streamer April 13, 2009. The 52nd FW, 52nd Operations Group, 22nd FS, 23rd FS and 81st Fighter Squadron will receive it at a later date.

(Editor's note: The presentation was delayed because the 52nd FW historian was deployed when the orders were initially issued.)