Operation Sharp Guard
Encyclopedia
Operation Sharp Guard was a multi-year joint naval blockade
in the Adriatic Sea
by NATO and the Western European Union
on shipments to the former Yugoslavia
. Warships and maritime patrol aircraft from 14 countries were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runner
s.
The operation began on June 15, 1993. It was suspended on June 19, 1996, and was terminated on October 2, 1996.
2.jpg)
The operation replaced naval blockades Operation Maritime Guard
(of NATO; begun by the U.S. in November 1992) and Sharp Fence (of the WEU). It put them under a single chain of command and control (the "Adriatic Military Committee", over which the NATO and WEU Councils exerted joint control), to address what their respective Councils viewed as wasteful duplication of effort. Some maintain that despite the nominal official joint command and control of the operation, in reality it was NATO staff that ran the operation.
embargo
of weapons and military equipment against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and rival factions in Croatia and Bosnia. The Yugoslav Wars
were being waged, and the participants hoped to limit the fighting by limiting supplies to it.
aircraft, were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runners.
Most contributors to the operation supplied one or two ships. The Turkish Navy
, for example, participated with frigates, submarines, and tankers.
The operational area was divided into a series of "sea boxes", each the responsibility of a single warship. Each boarding team was composed of a "guard team" to board and wrest control of the target ship, and a "search team", to conduct the search.
The ships were authorized to board, inspect, and seize both ships seeking to break the blockade and their cargo. The Combined Task Force 440 was commanded by Admiral Mario Angeli of Italy. It marked the first time since its founding in 1949 that NATO was involved in combat operations.
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The issue of differing views among nations in the coalition as to the use of force authorized by rules of engagement
arose in April 1994. Faced with the Maltese
tanker Lido II making its way towards Montenegrin
port with 45,000 tons of fuel oil, a U.S. cruiser asked the NATO commander (a British Commodore
) for guidance, and received authorization to use "disabling fire" to stop the tanker, if necessary. He received confirmation that he should follow the British Commodore's guidance from his own higher authority. Under U.S. Navy standards, "disabling fire" means firing rounds into the ship's engineering space. The U.S. cruiser was about to pass the order along to the Dutch Kortenaer class
frigate HMNLS Van Kinsberger. However, the fact that the Dutch definition of "disabling fire" involves launching rounds into the bridge of the target ship, with an increased risk of loss of life, became important. The ship was eventually stopped on May 1 and boarded by helicopter from HMNLS Van Kinsberger without firing a shot. Three Yugoslav Navy
Končar class
corvettes challenged the NATO operation and one of them tried to ram the British frigate HMS Chatham
as it was assisting Van Kinsberger. The corvettes eventually fled following the reaction of the British warship, supported by Italian Tornado
aircraft which scrambled from an airbase at Gioia Del Colle
. The Lido II had to undergo repairs before being diverted to Italy, since the crew had sabotaged the ship's engine room. The leaking was contained by an engineer party from HMS Chatham. Seven Yugoslav stowaways were found on board.
The blockade was suspended following a UN decision to end the arms embargo, and NATO's Southern Command said that: "NATO and WEU ships will no longer challenge, board or divert ships in the Adriatic". The Independent
warned at the time that "In theory, there could now be a massive influx of arms to Bosnia, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), although senior military and diplomatic sources yesterday said that they thought this would be unlikely."
s: UNSCR 713
, UNSCR 757
, UNSCR 787
UNSCR 820
, and UNSCR 943
. Resolution 787 authorized participating states to "use such measures ... as may be necessary ... to halt all inward and outward maritime shipping ... to insure strict implementation of" the arms embargo and economic sanctions against the former Yugoslavia. Over the course of the operation, the blockade was redefined in accordance with UNSCR 1021
and UNSCR 1022
.
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
in the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
by NATO and the Western European Union
Western European Union
The Western European Union was an international organisation tasked with implementing the Modified Treaty of Brussels , an amended version of the original 1948 Treaty of Brussels...
on shipments to the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. Warships and maritime patrol aircraft from 14 countries were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runner
Blockade runner
A blockade runner is usually a lighter weight ship used for evading a naval blockade of a port or strait, as opposed to confronting the blockaders to break the blockade. Very often blockade running is done in order to transport cargo, for example to bring food or arms to a blockaded city...
s.
The operation began on June 15, 1993. It was suspended on June 19, 1996, and was terminated on October 2, 1996.
Background
Operation Maritime Guard
Operation Maritime Guard was a NATO blockade, in the international waters of the Adriatic Sea, of the former Yugoslavia.-Scope:The operation began on November 22, 1992...
(of NATO; begun by the U.S. in November 1992) and Sharp Fence (of the WEU). It put them under a single chain of command and control (the "Adriatic Military Committee", over which the NATO and WEU Councils exerted joint control), to address what their respective Councils viewed as wasteful duplication of effort. Some maintain that despite the nominal official joint command and control of the operation, in reality it was NATO staff that ran the operation.
Purpose
The operation's purpose was, through a blockade on shipments to the former Yugoslavia, to enforce economic sanctions and an armsWeapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
embargo
Embargo
An embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
of weapons and military equipment against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and rival factions in Croatia and Bosnia. The Yugoslav Wars
Yugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
were being waged, and the participants hoped to limit the fighting by limiting supplies to it.
Blockade
Fourteen nations contributed ships and patrol aircraft to the operation. At any given time, 22 ships and 8 aircraft were enforcing the blockade, with ships from Standing Naval Force Atlantic and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean establishing a rotating duty. (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S.), and eight maritime patrolMaritime patrol
Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....
aircraft, were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runners.
Most contributors to the operation supplied one or two ships. The Turkish Navy
Turkish Navy
The Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
, for example, participated with frigates, submarines, and tankers.
The operational area was divided into a series of "sea boxes", each the responsibility of a single warship. Each boarding team was composed of a "guard team" to board and wrest control of the target ship, and a "search team", to conduct the search.
The ships were authorized to board, inspect, and seize both ships seeking to break the blockade and their cargo. The Combined Task Force 440 was commanded by Admiral Mario Angeli of Italy. It marked the first time since its founding in 1949 that NATO was involved in combat operations.
Lido II Incident
Rules of engagement
Rules of Engagement refers to those responses that are permitted in the employment of military personnel during operations or in the course of their duties. These rules of engagement are determined by the legal framework within which these duties are being carried out...
arose in April 1994. Faced with the Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
tanker Lido II making its way towards Montenegrin
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
port with 45,000 tons of fuel oil, a U.S. cruiser asked the NATO commander (a British Commodore
Commodore (Royal Navy)
Commodore is a rank of the Royal Navy above Captain and below Rear Admiral. It has a NATO ranking code of OF-6. The rank is equivalent to Brigadier in the British Army and Royal Marines and to Air Commodore in the Royal Air Force.-Insignia:...
) for guidance, and received authorization to use "disabling fire" to stop the tanker, if necessary. He received confirmation that he should follow the British Commodore's guidance from his own higher authority. Under U.S. Navy standards, "disabling fire" means firing rounds into the ship's engineering space. The U.S. cruiser was about to pass the order along to the Dutch Kortenaer class
Kortenaer class frigate
The Kortenaer class was a class of frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were built to be a general purpose frigate; able to combat all surface, submarine and aircraft targets. Like some of the other frigates of the 1970s and 1980s, they featured a COGOG propulsion system...
frigate HMNLS Van Kinsberger. However, the fact that the Dutch definition of "disabling fire" involves launching rounds into the bridge of the target ship, with an increased risk of loss of life, became important. The ship was eventually stopped on May 1 and boarded by helicopter from HMNLS Van Kinsberger without firing a shot. Three Yugoslav Navy
Yugoslav Navy
The Yugoslav Navy was the navy of Yugoslavia. It was essentially a coastal defense force with the mission of preventing enemy landings along the Yugoslavia's rugged 4,000- kilometer shoreline or coastal islands, and contesting an enemy blockade or control of the strategic Strait of Otranto...
Končar class
Končar class fast attack craft
The Končar class is a class of fast attack craft that was built for the SFR Yugoslav Navy in the late 1970s. Following the break-up of Yugoslavia one craft went to the Croatian Navy whilst the remaining five went to the Montenegro Navy...
corvettes challenged the NATO operation and one of them tried to ram the British frigate HMS Chatham
HMS Chatham (F87)
HMS Chatham was a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate of the British Royal Navy. She has the rare honour of a motto in English; Up and at 'em, being the rallying cry of the Medway town football and rugby teams. The motto has subsequently been translated back into Latin as Surge et vince...
as it was assisting Van Kinsberger. The corvettes eventually fled following the reaction of the British warship, supported by Italian Tornado
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
aircraft which scrambled from an airbase at Gioia Del Colle
Gioia del Colle
Gioia del Colle is a town and comune in the province of Bari, Apulia, Italy. The town is located on the Murge plateau at 360 metres above sea level.- History :...
. The Lido II had to undergo repairs before being diverted to Italy, since the crew had sabotaged the ship's engine room. The leaking was contained by an engineer party from HMS Chatham. Seven Yugoslav stowaways were found on board.
Statistics
The "NATO and WEU forces challenged more than 73,000 ships, boarded and inspected almost 6,000 at sea, and diverted 1,500 suspect ships to ports for further inspection." Of those, nearly a dozen vessels were found to be blockade runners, some carrying arms in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. NATO officials said no ships were able to run the blockade successfully, and that the maritime blockade had a major effect in preventing escalation of the conflict.Suspension
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
warned at the time that "In theory, there could now be a massive influx of arms to Bosnia, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), although senior military and diplomatic sources yesterday said that they thought this would be unlikely."
Applicable UN resolutions
The blockade was conducted in accordance with numerous United Nations Security Council ResolutionUnited Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
s: UNSCR 713
United Nations Security Council Resolution 713
United Nations Security Council Resolution 713, adopted unanimously on September 25, 1991, after receiving representations from a number of Member States and commending the efforts of the European Community in the region, the Council decided to impose, under Chapter VII, an arms embargo on the...
, UNSCR 757
United Nations Security Council Resolution 757
United Nations Security Council Resolution 757, adopted on May 30, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 713 , 721 , 724 , 727 , 740 743 , 749 and 752 , the Council condemned the failure of the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to implement Resolution 752.After demanding the...
, UNSCR 787
United Nations Security Council Resolution 787
United Nations Security Council Resolution 787, adopted on November 16, 1992, after reaffirming Resolution 713 and all subsequent resolutions on the topic, the Council called upon the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to consider the draft outline constitution as a basis for negotiating a...
UNSCR 820
United Nations Security Council Resolution 820
United Nations Security Council Resolution 820, adopted on April 17, 1993, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the topic for a lasting peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, the Council discussed the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and comprehensive steps to...
, and UNSCR 943
United Nations Security Council Resolution 943
United Nations Security Council Resolution 943, adopted on September 23, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council suspended some restrictions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and discussed the closure of the border between both...
. Resolution 787 authorized participating states to "use such measures ... as may be necessary ... to halt all inward and outward maritime shipping ... to insure strict implementation of" the arms embargo and economic sanctions against the former Yugoslavia. Over the course of the operation, the blockade was redefined in accordance with UNSCR 1021
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1021
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1021, adopted on November 22, 1995, after recalling all resolutions on the situation in the former Yugoslavia, particularly resolutions 713 and 727 , the Council set a date of March 13, 1996, for the suspension of most aspects of the arms embargo on the...
and UNSCR 1022
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1022
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1022, adopted on November 22, 1995, after recalling all resolutions on the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, the Council suspended measures in previous resolutions related to the former Yugoslavia....
.
Ships participating
- FS La Fayette of the French NavyFrench NavyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
- HHMS ThemistoklesUSS Berkeley (DDG-15)USS Berkeley was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Major General Randolph C. Berkeley, USMC , a Medal of Honor recipient for actions during the U.S...
of the Hellenic NavyHellenic NavyThe Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence... - FGS EmdenBremen class frigateThe eight F122 Bremen class frigates of the German Navy were commissioned between 1982 and 1990. The design is similar to the Dutch Kortenaer class but uses a different hull and propulsion system. The ships were built for anti-submarine warfare as a primary task even though they are not fitted with...
of the German NavyGerman NavyThe German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy... - SPS AsturiasBaleares class frigateThe Baleares class are a group of five frigates built for the Spanish navy in the 1970s. The ships are a modified version of the American Knox class frigates. The key differences are the replacement of the Sea Sparrow PDMS and ASW helicopter facilities by Standard SAM and associated radars...
of the Spanish NavySpanish NavyThe Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path... - HMDS Niels JuelNiels Juel class corvetteThe Niels Juel class is a three-ship class of corvettes currently in service with the Royal Danish Navy. They were built in Denmark at Aalborg Shipyard and were launched in the period 1978-1980...
of the Royal Danish NavyRoyal Danish NavyThe Royal Danish Navy is the sea-based branch of the Danish Defence force. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defence and maintaining the sovereignty of Danish, Greenlandic and Faroese territorial waters... - ITS FeniceMinerva class corvetteThe Minerva class is a series of corvettes of the Italian Marina Militare.They were built in two series of four units in the 1980s and 1990s. The ships have fairly good speed and armament, including a 76mm general-purpose gun, but, due to their emphasis on anti-submarine warfare, they lack...
of the Italian NavyItalian NavyItalian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic... - FS Jean Bart of the French Navy
- TCG Ege of the Turkish NavyTurkish NavyThe Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
- HMCS Algonquin of the Canadian Forces Maritime CommandCanadian Forces Maritime CommandThe Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
- HMCS TorontoHMCS Toronto (FFH 333)HMCS Toronto is a that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1993.Toronto is the fourth ship in her class which is the name for the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project. She is the second vessel to carry the designation ....
of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command - ITS LupoLupo class frigateThe Lupo class is a class of frigates built by Cantieri Navali Riuniti for the Italian Navy. Designed as multipurpose warships with emphasis on anti-surface warfare , they have enjoyed some success in the export market, being acquired by the navies of Peru and Venezuela...
of the Italian Navy - BNS WandelaarWielingen class frigateThe Wielingen class is a class of four multi-functional frigates built for the Belgian Navy. The ships are named after sandbanks in the North Sea, not far from the Belgian coast, or sea routes. The lead ship is named after the Wielingen sandbank....
of the Belgian NavyBelgian NavyThe Marine Component of the Belgian Army, formerly the Belgian Naval Force, is the naval service of Belgium.-Early history:The Belgian Navy was created as the Marine Royale in 1831. This force has operated in various forms throughout Belgian history.When after the Belgian Revolution, the country... - HMS NottinghamHMS Nottingham (D91)HMS Nottingham was a batch two Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy, named after the city of Nottingham, England. She was launched on 18 February 1980, and commissioned on 8 April 1983 as the sixth ship to bear the name....
of the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... - HMS CampbeltownHMS Campbeltown (F86)HMS Campbeltown was a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate of the British Royal Navy. Built by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd. in Birkenhead, she was part of the third batch of Type 22s, which were considerably larger than their predecessors and incorporated more advanced weaponry after lessons learnt from the...
of the Royal Navy - HNLMS Karel Doorman of the Royal Netherlands NavyRoyal Netherlands NavyThe Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
- HMCS ProtecteurHMCS Protecteur (AOR 509)HMCS Protecteur is a Canadian Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship. Built by Saint John Shipbuilding and Dry Docks in Saint John, New Brunswick, she was commissioned in 1969, the first ship of her class. She is the first Canadian naval unit to carry the name Protecteur; however,...
of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command - HMS ChathamHMS Chatham (F87)HMS Chatham was a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate of the British Royal Navy. She has the rare honour of a motto in English; Up and at 'em, being the rallying cry of the Medway town football and rugby teams. The motto has subsequently been translated back into Latin as Surge et vince...
of the Royal Navy - ITS Luigi Durand de la PenneDurand de la Penne class destroyerThe Durand de la Penne class destroyers are two guided missile destroyers operated by the Marina Militare, the Italian navy. The design is an updated version of the Audace class destroyers but these ships are larger, have CODOG machinery and modern sensors...
of the Italian Navy - HNLMS Van KinsbergenKortenaer class frigateThe Kortenaer class was a class of frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were built to be a general purpose frigate; able to combat all surface, submarine and aircraft targets. Like some of the other frigates of the 1970s and 1980s, they featured a COGOG propulsion system...
of the Royal Netherlands Navy - HHMS HydraGreek frigate Hydra (F-452)The Greek Frigate Hydra is the lead ship of the Greek Hydra frigate class and flagship of the Hellenic Navy. It is based on the Blohm + Voss MEKO 200 frigate class and was built in its shipyard; Three more vessels were built by Hellenic Shipyards Co...
of the Hellenic Navy - HMCS IroquoisHMCS Iroquois (DDH 280)HMCS Iroquois is an that has served the Canadian Forces since 1972.Iroquois is the lead ship of her class which is sometimes referred to as the Tribal-class or simply as the 280-class. She is the second vessel to use the designation...
of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command - FS Quartier Maitre AnquetilD'Estienne d'Orves classThe A69 type Avisos are small warships mainly designed for coastal anti-submarine defence, but are also available for high sea escort missions . Built on a simple and robust design, they have an economical and reliable propulsion system which allows them to be used for overseas presence missions...
of the French Navy - FGS Rheinland-PfalzBremen class frigateThe eight F122 Bremen class frigates of the German Navy were commissioned between 1982 and 1990. The design is similar to the Dutch Kortenaer class but uses a different hull and propulsion system. The ships were built for anti-submarine warfare as a primary task even though they are not fitted with...
of the German Navy - HMS GlasgowHMS Glasgow (D88)HMS Glasgow was a Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. The last of the Batch 1 Type 42 destoyers, Glasgow was commissioned in 1977. The destroyer fought during the Falklands War, and on 12 May 1982 was damaged by bombs from Argentine A-4 Skyhawks. Glasgow operated with the INTERFET peacekeeping...
of the Royal Navy - SPS Reina SofiaSPS Reina Sofía (F84)Reina Sofía is the fourth of six Spanish-built s, based on the American design, of the Spanish Navy.Laid down on October 12, 1987, and launched on July 19, 1989, Reina Sofía was commissioned in service on October 30, 1990...
of the Spanish Navy - TGC KocatepeUSS Reasoner (FF-1063)USS Reasoner was a Knox class frigate of the US Navy. Reasoner, originally , was laid down 6 January 1969 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington and launched 1 August 1970; cosponsored by Mrs. James C. Curry and Mrs. Robert Svinger. Reasoner was commissioned 31 July...
of the Turkish Navy - ITS LibeccioMaestrale class frigateThe Maestrale class is a class of frigate in the Marina Militare . The class is composed of eight vessels, all of which were built by Fincantieri S.p. A, Riva Trigoso, except for Grecale, which was built by Fincantieri S.p.A...
of the Italian Navy - RFA OrangeleafRFA Orangeleaf (A110)RFA Orangeleaf is a Leaf-class fleet support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.RFA Orangeleaf saw action in the Gulf War in 1991 and was one of the first units to hear the code "Walkman" which was to signify the start of the offensive against Saddam Hussein's forces in Kuwait.During early to...
of the Royal Navy - HNLMS Pieter FloriszKortenaer class frigateThe Kortenaer class was a class of frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were built to be a general purpose frigate; able to combat all surface, submarine and aircraft targets. Like some of the other frigates of the 1970s and 1980s, they featured a COGOG propulsion system...
of the Royal Netherlands Navy - HNLMS Jacob van HeemskerkJacob van Heemskerck class frigateThe Jacob van Heemskerck class frigate was a class of frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. They were built to be an air defence version of the Kortenaer class frigate. 2 ships were built for the Dutch Navy and have recently been sold to the Chilean Navy...
of the Royal Netherlands Navy - FS Commandant BlaisonD'Estienne d'Orves classThe A69 type Avisos are small warships mainly designed for coastal anti-submarine defence, but are also available for high sea escort missions . Built on a simple and robust design, they have an economical and reliable propulsion system which allows them to be used for overseas presence missions...
of the French Navy - HMCS Huron of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command
- NRP Alvares CabralVasco da Gama class frigateThe Vasco da Gama class is a class of frigates of the Portuguese Navy. Named in honor of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the ships are based on the German MEKO 200 design, and are Portugal's major surface ships...
of the Portuguese NavyPortuguese NavyThe Portuguese Navy is the naval branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation and integrated with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the military defence of Portugal.... - SPS Numancia of the Spanish Navy
- ITS EuroMaestrale class frigateThe Maestrale class is a class of frigate in the Marina Militare . The class is composed of eight vessels, all of which were built by Fincantieri S.p. A, Riva Trigoso, except for Grecale, which was built by Fincantieri S.p.A...
of the Italian Navy - HNLMS Jan van Brakel of the Royal Netherlands Navy
- HMS BattleaxeHMS Battleaxe (F89)HMS Battleaxe was a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy. She was sold to the Brazilian Navy on 30 April 1997 and renamed Rademaker.HMS Battleaxe was featured in Tom Clancy's novel Red Storm Rising....
of the Royal Navy - HMCS PreserverHMCS Preserver (AOR 510)HMCS Preserver is a Canadian Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment of the Royal Canadian Navy commissioned in 1970....
of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command - SPS ExtremaduraBaleares class frigateThe Baleares class are a group of five frigates built for the Spanish navy in the 1970s. The ships are a modified version of the American Knox class frigates. The key differences are the replacement of the Sea Sparrow PDMS and ASW helicopter facilities by Standard SAM and associated radars...
of the Spanish Navy - HHMS Elli of the Hellenic Navy
- USS BainbridgeUSS Bainbridge (CGN-25)USS Bainbridge was the only ship of her class. Initially a guided missile destroyer leader in the United States Navy, she was re-designated as a guided missile cruiser in 1975. This ship was nuclear-powered.-Construction:...
of the U.S. NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S... - USS BooneUSS Boone (FFG-28)USS Boone is the twentieth ship in the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided missile frigates.The frigate was named for Vice Admiral Joel Thompson Boone, M.D. . FFG-28, the first U.S. ship to bear the admiral's name, was ordered January 23, 1978, launched 16 January 1980 by...
of the U.S. Navy - USS ConollyUSS Conolly (DD-979)USS Conolly , named for Admiral Richard Lansing Conolly USN, was a built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi.-History:...
of the U.S. Navy - USS Theodore RooseveltUSS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier. Her radio call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War...
of the U.S. Navy - USS Dwight D. EisenhowerUSS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D....
of the U.S. Navy - USS Cape St. GeorgeUSS Cape St. George (CG-71)USS Cape St. George is a laid down by the Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation at Pascagoula, Mississippi on 19 November 1990, launched on 10 January 1992 and commissioned on 12 June 1993. Cape St. George operates out of San Diego, California.Cape St. George is named for the World War II...
of the U.S. Navy - USS KiddUSS Kidd (DDG-993)USS Kidd was the lead ship in her class of destroyers operated by the U.S. Navy. Derived from the Spruance class, these vessels were designed for air defense in hot weather. The vessel was the second named after Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Isaac C...
of the U.S. Navy - USS ConollyUSS Conolly (DD-979)USS Conolly , named for Admiral Richard Lansing Conolly USN, was a built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi.-History:...
of the U.S. Navy - USS DeyoUSS Deyo (DD-989)USS Deyo , a Spruance-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo , a veteran destroyerman and distinguished naval gunfire support task force commander of World War II....
of the U.S. Navy - USS ElrodUSS Elrod (FFG-55)USS Elrod , an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Captain Henry T. Elrod , a Marine aviator who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the defense of Wake Island in World War II.-Ship history:Elrod was built at the Bath Iron...
of the U.S. Navy - USS AmericaUSS America (CV-66)The USS America was one of four Kitty Hawk-class super carriers built for the United States Navy in the 1960s. Commissioned in 1965, she spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but did make three Pacific deployments serving in the Vietnam War. She also served in operations...
of the U.S. Navy - USS AnzioUSS Anzio (CG-68)USS Anzio is a guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, named for the site of a beachhead invasion of Italy by Allied troops from 22 January to 23 May 1944. It was laid down by the Litton-Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation at Pascagoula, Mississippi on 21 August 1989, launched on 2...
of the U.S. Navy - USS Comte de GrasseUSS Comte de Grasse (DD-974)USS Comte de Grasse , named for Admiral Francois-Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse , was a built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi....
of the U.S. Navy - USS NassauUSS Nassau (LHA-4)USS Nassau was a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship. She was capable of transporting more than 3,000 US United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel. Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, laid the ship's keel on August 13, 1973, she was commissioned on July 28, 1979...
of the U.S. Navy - USS NicholasUSS Nicholas (FFG-47)USS Nicholas , an , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the first commanding officer of the United States Marines. A third-generation guided missile frigate of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, she was laid down as Bath Iron Works hull number 388 on 27...
of the U.S. Navy - USS NormandyUSS Normandy (CG-60)USS Normandy is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the service of the United States Navy. Armed with naval guns and anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine missiles, plus other weapons, she is equipped for surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine warfare...
of the U.S. Navy - USS Samuel B RobertsUSS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58)USS Samuel B. Roberts is one of the final ships in the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided missile frigates . The ship was severely damaged by an Iranian mine in 1988, leading U.S. forces to respond with Operation Praying Mantis.-Commissioning and namesake:The frigate was...
of the U.S. Navy - USS John RodgersUSS John Rodgers (DD-983)USS John Rodgers , a Spruance-class destroyer, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the three generations of the Rodgers family who served in the Navy....
of the U.S. Navy - USS ScottUSS Scott (DDG-995)USS Scott was a of the United States Navy. She was named for Rear Admiral Norman Scott, who was killed during a surface action at the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal aboard USS Atlanta, winning a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions.Originally named Nader, Scott was ordered by the Shah of...
of the U.S. Navy - USS SimpsonUSS Simpson (FFG-56)USS Simpson is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Rodger W. Simpson.-History:...
of the U.S. Navy - USS ThornUSS Thorn (DD-988)USS Thorn , a Spruance-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Jonathan Thorn , who took part in Decatur's expedition to destroy the captured frigate Philadelphia in 1804....
of the U.S. Navy - USS MonterreyUSS Monterey (CG-61)USS Monterey is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She is named for the Battle of Monterrey at Monterrey, Nuevo León during the Mexican-American War in 1846...
of the U.S. Navy - USS VicksburgUSS Vicksburg (CG-69)USS Vicksburg is a guided missile cruiser serving in the United States Navy. She is named for both the land Battle of Vicksburg fought during the American Civil War, and the city of Vicksburg, MS....
of the U.S. Navy - USS South CarolinaUSS South Carolina (CGN-37)USS South Carolina was the second ship of the California-class of nuclear powered guided missile cruisers in the United States Navy....
of the U.S. Navy - USS Dale of the U.S. Navy
See also
- Yugoslav WarsYugoslav warsThe Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
- Legal assessments of the Gaza flotilla raidLegal assessments of the Gaza flotilla raidMany legal assessments of the Gaza flotilla raid were published subsequent to the event. International law experts differed over the legality of the action by Israel...
External links
- Security Council resolutions
- UN Security Council Official Website, including all resolutions
- NATO Regional HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe Fact Sheet on Operation Sharp Guard
- Update on Operation Sharp Guard, December 1995
- General Framework Agreement
- "Evolution of the Conflict", NATO Handbook, December 18, 2002
- "Operation Sharp Guard: the sea embargo of Serbia and Montenegro", Barberan, J. F., Revista de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica, no. 727, pp. 750–57. October 2003