Yesteryear

10 Years Ago

After a departure from the Swiss Chateau d’Oex alpine village on March 1, the *Breitling Orbiter 3** Cameron Balloons hot-air balloon with Swiss Bertrand Piccard and Englishman Brian Jones began its around-the-world quest. After a sucìcessful 45,755km non-stop around the world journey during which they captured several records, a landing was made in the Egyptian desert on March 21.

The NATO air War with Yugoslavia (Operation Allied Force) began on March 24, marking the first time in its 50 year history that NATO had engaged in an attack on a sovereign nation. A force of 60 NATO aircraft including USMC F/A -18 Hornets and USN EA-6B Prowlers from Aviano, Istrana and Gioia del Colle, Italy attacked airfields, command and control centres, radar sites and other targets throughout Yugoslavia. In addition, Tomahawk missiles were launched from USN ships and submarines in the Adriatic.