HMS Ocean. Crown Copyright

As part of Operation 'Allied Force', HMS Splendid was deployed with her brand-new Tomahawk missiles, and her first operational launch was on 24th March when she fired numerous Tomahawk missiles at various sites, and was accompanied by a couple of surface ships and were later joined by HMS Invincible, whose Sea Harriers flew 102 combat air patrols over the fleet and Kosovo, HMS Ocean, and HMS Argus was also deployed with her Westland Sea Kings of 814 NAS as search and rescue and transport aircraft, and she was also available to act as a casualty reception facility if required. HMS Newcastle was Invincible's escort, along with RFA Bayleaf, and RFA Fort Austin.

HMS Bulldog, a coastal survey vessel, HMS Atherstone and HMS Sandown all helped to detect and dispose of ordnance in Operation 'Allied Harvest' surveying all declared jettison areas. HMS Sandown was the only NATO mine hunter available for much of the operations for disposals in deeper waters.

The Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset, and subsequently HMS Grafton who relieved her on 26th April, both served as part of the French aircraft carrier Task Group in the Adriatic. HMS Iron Duke and HMS Norfolk, also both Type 23 frigates, were deployed to the region as part of NATO Standing Naval Forces patrolling the area and keeping the Yugoslav Navy under constant surveillance. The submarine, HMS Turbulent, also contributed to NATO operations in the Adriatic. HMS Coventry relieved Norfolk on 10th June 1999.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary played an important role in deploying and sustaining forces in the region. The two chartered RFA ro-ro ships, Sea Centurion and Sea Crusader, were both fully occupied deploying army assets in preparation for KFOR.

Nos. 800, 814 and 749 A Flight were embarked on HMS Invincible, with Nos. 814 and 815 NAS being embarked upon RFA Argus, Fort Austin and the destroyers and frigates.