NATO Takes Over

Press Release, 1996

NATO contributions to what was understood to be a UN exercise in implementing the Dayton Treaty in Bosnia.

No. 006-B : DOD News Release

OPERATION JOINT ENDEAVOR FACT SHEET

December 11, 1995

This fact sheet provides information on the the participation by other
countries in the multinational Implementation Force (IFOR) coalition in
Bosnia.

NATO NATION – ANTICIPATED CONTRIBUTION

BELGIUM – 300
Approximately 300 logistics and engineer troops. The approximately 700
troops in UNCRO for Eastern Slavonia force will likely remain and are not
included in the above.

CANADA – 1,500
One battalion (up to 1,000 personnel) will be deployed, probably in the UK
sector. Remaining troops will be air and naval support in theater
(approximately 370) and indirect support (approximately 160) outside of the
area.

DENMARK – 800
One infantry battalion (800 troops) will participate in the Nordic Brigade.
Elements currently in Bosnia will transfer authority.

FRANCE – 7,500-10,000
Approximately 7,500 current forces in UNPROFOR will transfer authority to
IFOR. Approximately 2,500 additional troops outside of Bosnia for support
(such as air-sea lift). Would form 2 mechanized brigades. Will command
Eastern Bosnia sector, including Sarajevo.

GERMANY – 4,000
Combat support role (in Croatia-primarily Split, Zadar and Sibenik),
including transportation battalion, engineer battalion, logistics battalion,
army flying regiment, and a medical brigade. 2,600 will be ground forces in
Croatia.

GREECE – 1,000
Up to 1,000 personnel, probably a transportation unit with some engineer
support. One frigate, two minesweepers and two C-130 aircraft have been
offered.

ITALY – 2,200
Parliamentary approval to send a reinforced infantry brigade (the Garibaldi
Brigade – mechanized with special paratrooper forces, military police,
armor, fire support, logistics, and medical) plus continued air and naval
participation. San Marco Battalion (naval infantry) in reserve. Will deploy
in the French sector, under a French Division.

LUXEMBOURG – 300
Anticipate company-sized contribution.

THE NETHERLANDS – 2,060
One mechanized infantry battalion, and perhaps a tank squadron (6-7 Leopard
tanks). Will operate with a British brigade in the UK Sector. Also likely to
continue air element.

NORWAY – 750
Represents forces currently in UNPROFOR likely to participate in Nordic
Brigade. Would include engineering company, MP company, medical company,
and logistics battalion.

PORTUGAL – 900
Will deploy their Independent Airborne Battalion with 192 vehicles, of which
25 are armored. Battalion will be integrated into the Italian brigade under
a French division.

SPAIN – 1,000-1,500
Anticipate reinforced battalion contribution.

TURKEY – 1,300
Will provide a reinforced battalion for operations in the U.S. sector.

UNITED KINGDOM – 13,000
Builds on UNPROFOR troops. UK will command western sector.

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NORDIC BRIGADE

Force composition:

Infantry Battalion(+) Poland
Tactical Air Control Denmark
Headquarters Denmark
Engineer Company Norway
Infantry Battalion (-) Denmark
Logistics Battalion Norway
Infantry Battalion Sweden
Military Police Company Norway
Infantry Battalion Finland
Medical Company Norway

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NON-NATO PARTICIPANTS:

AUSTRIA – 300-man transport/engr unit
CZECH REPUBLIC – 850 troop combat battalion
ESTONIA – Probably send one platoon
FINLAND – 850 troop battalion for Nordic Brigade
HUNGARY – 500-man engr (bridging) unit
LATVIA – One platoon
LITHUANIA – One platoon
PAKISTAN – Expect 1,000
POLAND – 600-troop battalion for Nordic Brigade
ROMANIA – Offered host nation support and possibly mine clearing
RUSSIAN FEDERATION – 1,500-2,500 troops
SLOVAKIA – 406-man engineer battalion
SWEDEN – 807-troop battalion for Nordic Brigade
UKRAINE – 500-man infantry battalion

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POTENTIAL NON-NATO PARTICIPANTS:

BANGLADESH – 1250 in UNPROFOR
BULGARIA – Expressed interest
EGYPT – Expressed interest
MALAYSIA – UNPROFOR participant
NEW ZEALAND – Small contribution in Rapid Reaction Force

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OVERALL FORCE COMPOSITION

IFOR HEADQUARTERS (HQ) IN SARAJEVO

FRENCH DIVISION HQ, MOSTAR AOR: EAST B-H
UK DIVISION HQ, GORNJI VAKUF AOR: WEST B-H
US DIVISION HQ, TUZLA AOR: N/NE B-H

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