EOA 2: OPERATION/CAMPAIGN Kosovo Operational Approach (Broad Actions) The Kosovo campaign utilized an advanced strategy of diplomacy, backed by the use of air power, to achieve its strategic, operational and tactical goals. Commander’s Intent Political goals: 1) ensure the stability of Eastern Europe; 2) thwart ethnic cleansing; and 3) ensure NATO’s credibility. NATO’s five primary objectives for entering the conflict included: the end of combat and killings in Kosovo; Serb military withdrawal from the region; the deployment of peacekeepers; the return of refugees and humanitarian aid; and a political framework for Kosovo based on a previous agreement aimed at greater autonomy for the province. Operational Framework (D) Build a coalition for international legitimacy (19 NATO member states) (M) To achieve air superiority over Kosovo/Serbia (E) Enforce economic sanctions against Serbia (D) Open dialogue with non-NATO states important for regional support (M) Provide interdicting capabilities to Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) (I)Leverage “CNN Effect” to support operations (D) Build relationship with Russia to facilitate Milosevic’s capitulation (D) Humanitarian assistance to displaced populations to prevent further crisis in region (D) Plan for post-conflict stability operations Tenants of ULO Integration: All operations were integrated with NATO members. In Phase 3 operations, targets had to be approved by NATO political leadership. Elements of Operational Art/Design End state: Clear end state agreed by all 19 NATO members (5 primary objectives) COG: Russia’s eventual involvement resulted in Milosevic’s capitulation; steadily graduated military pressure with threat of ground troops Decisive Points: Cohesion of NATO coalition; Russia diplomatic involvement LOO: military and diplomatic LOO; Diplomatic (Serbia, NATO, Non-Nato, Russia, Humanitarian Assistance, Post-conflict) Tempo: NATO increased intensity of air campaign, eventually striking civilian targets that impacted electrical and water supply Phasing/Transitions: Operation Allied Force planned as 5 phases, steadily increasing pressure Key Concepts of Clausewitz When committed, use sufficient force to tie military operations to political goals. Key Concepts of other Theorists Force usually not effective for negative strategy (Clausewitz, Mao, Boyd) “Limited War” while constrained in political/military/coalition means cannot be effective if also constrained in military/operations means (Warden, Trinquier) Credible use of ground forces to make airpower impacts effective (Kalyvas, Herbst)

EOA 2XX: OPERATION/CAMPAIGN Kosovo Phasing:Timeline: October 1998 Holbrooke agreement January 1999 Racak massacres March 1999 Air Campaign---lasted 78 days June Milosevic submitted and recalled all security forces from Kosovo Phase 0: deployment of air assets to Europe. Phase 1: establish air superiority over Kosovo and degrade command and control and the integrated air-defense system over the all of Yugoslavia. Phase 2: attack military targets in Kosovo and Serbian forces south of 44 degrees north latitude and those providing reinforcement to forces in Kosovo. Phase 3: expand air operations against a wide range of high-value military and security force targets throughout Yugoslavia. Phase 4: redeploy forces as required. Department of Defense, 7. Geographic Keys:

EOA 2: OPERATION/CAMPAIGN Kosovo Historical Context: Kosovo is a land claimed by both Serbs and Albanians. Kosovo has a mixed population, of which the majority are ethnic Albanians (Kosovars). Until 1989, the region enjoyed a high degree of autonomy within the former Yugoslavia. In early 1989, Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic stripped Kosovo of its autonomy and brought it under the direct control of Belgrade. The Kosovar Albanians opposed the move, embracing a non-violent resistance movement under the leadership of the Democratic League of Kosovo. With no progress on its independence movement, armed conflict began to erupt in the region. In 1998, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) unleashed a major guerilla offensive, gaining control of a third of Kosovo. Open conflict between Serbian military and police forces and Kosovar Albanian forces in 1998 resulted in over 2000 deaths and forced 400,000 people from their homes. Serb security forces responded to the KLA threat with indiscriminate brutality. Strategic Context: Operation Allied Force was the most intense and sustained military operation in Europe since the end of World War II. The first extended use of military force by NATO in its 50 year existence and the first major combat operation conducted for humanitarian objectives against a state. At the time of the campaign in March 1999, it was also the longest US combat operation to have taken place since the war in Vietnam ended in Additionally, Operation Allied Force was the first time destructive armed forces had been used to implement UN Security Council resolutions, but without authorization by the Security Council. Campaign Context: NATO sought to use air strikes to weaken the Serbian military’s capacity to attack or harm the Kosovar Albanians. NATO’s phase one air attacks focused primarily on Serbia’s integrated air defense system, command and control and other military sites. NATO and military commanders asserted that this was never a campaign against the Serbian people. The prevention of injuries and loss of life among the civilian population was carefully considered by military planners. Additionally, due to a lack of consensus in the United States and in the alliance on the use of a ground force option, it was decided that a phased air campaign was the best option for achieving NATO goals.