First strike
stplanken — March 24, 1999 - 07:15
March 24, 1999
In the first days of Operation Allied Force, approximately 350 aircraft were committed to this operation. Many of them were already present because of previous or ongoing operations.
The first attack occurred on March 24, 1999, around 2000 local time. Thirteen of the nineteen NATO members contributed aircraft, of which 8 countries actually were engaged in combat:
| Country | Assets |
|---|---|
| Belgium | F-16A |
| France | Jaguar, Mirage 2000C/D, Super Etendard, C-135 (total 40) |
| Germany | Tornado |
| Italy | Tornado, AMX, F-104 |
| Netherlands | F-16AM (6), KDC-10 (2) |
| Spain | EF-18, KC-130 |
| United Kingdom | L-1011, Harrier GR.7 (8), E-3D (3) |
| United States | F-16CG, F-16CJ, F-15E, F-117, B-2, B-52 |
| NATO | Fleet of NATO ships 12,000 ground troops on stand-by in Macedonia |
Source: NATO.
The total number of allied aircraft varied. After the 15th day, almost 600 allied aircraft in total were contributing to air operations against Yugoslavia. See the day-to-day operations.
Source: NATO, Washington Post.