NATO HQ 2 June 1999 0930

Operation Allied Force Update NATO struck hard at Serb forces deployed in Kosovo, destroying a significant amount of artillery during Day 70 of Operation Allied Force. NATO aircraft struck at least 32 pieces of artillery, nine armoured personnel carriers, eight mortar positions, six armoured vehicles, four other military vehicles, a SA-6 SAM site and assorted revetted positions. The heaviest strikes against Serb forces in Kosovo took place in the vicinity of Planeja and Mount Pastrik, where severe fighting continues between VJ/MUP forces and the UCK. Other targets hit included: Electric power transmission tower near Belgrade Military barracks at Obrenovac Air defense command center at Novi Sad AM radio broadcast stations at: Ruma Srbobran TV/FM relay site at Banjska Radio relay site at Novi Pazar Highway bridge at Pirot Railway bridge at Pirot Petroleum refueling station at Marash Petroleum storage site at Sombor Ammunition storage site at Kursumlija NATO aircraft flew a total of 575 sorties, including 197 strike sorties and 70 suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions. The weather in the operating region was mixed yesterday, leading to the cancellation of some sorties. All NATO aircraft returned safely. Allied Force operations are underway on Day 71. Further details will be available at the NATO morning update at 1030.