Questions about Operation Deliberate Force

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What was Operation Deliberate Force and when did it take place?

Operation Deliberate Force ran between the 30th of August and the 20th of September 1995 involving 400 aircraft and 5,000 personnel from 15 nations. Admiral Leighton W. Smith Jr. commanded the campaign which struck 338 Bosnian Serb targets.

Why did NATO launch Operation Deliberate Force against Republika Srpska?

The shelling of the Sarajevo marketplace on the 28th of August 1995 served as the immediate instigating factor behind NATO's decision to launch the operation. This event followed earlier violence including the first Markale marketplace massacre which occurred on the 6th of February 1994.

How many sorties were flown during Operation Deliberate Force by participating nations?

As many as 400 NATO aircraft participated in the air campaign while flying 3,515 sorties. The United States conducted 2,318 sorties while Great Britain flew 326 sorties and France contributed 284 sorties.

Which countries provided troops for Operation Deliberate Force and what equipment did they use?

France, the United Kingdom and the United States decided to send a multinational brigade to the Mount Igman area on the 16th of June 1995. The main force included a mixed artillery regiment with eight 155 mm AUF1 howitzers from France and twelve 105 mm light guns from Britain.

What happened to French pilots shot down during Operation Deliberate Force?

Two French airmen captured after their Mirage 2000N was downed on the 30th of August 1995 were Lt. Jose Souvignet and Capt. Frederic Chiffot. They were released only upon the end of the Bosnian War on the 12th of December 1995.