Kosovo crisis update

National Guard, Jun 1999

Air Force Begins Stop Loss; Kosovo Peace Force Prepares; $15 Billion Approved

Air Force officials said last month they will implement the "Stop Loss" program, which halts military retirements, separations and promotions.

The Stop Loss directive comes after the Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, which could affect as many as 33,102 Guardsmen. Those usually subject to Stop Loss are those in combat fields or holding "critical skills" related to combat.

For the bombing campaign, that would likely include pilots, aircrews and aircraft maintenance crews; however, at press time, officials were unable to offer specific units involved with the Stop Loss.

The bombing campaign has so far required the service of 5,485 Guardsmen, including the most recent call-up of 1,022 airmen and 26 air refuelers from the Guard and Reserve.

That number is likely to increase with the plans for a larger "peace implementation force" under way. President Clinton said last month he would contribute at least 4,000 troops to NATO's planned 45,000 to 50,000 troop force, but Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon said to anticipate "a proportional increase, which would be in the range of 7,000 or so troops."

Already in Albania are 6,000 troops supporting 22 Apache attack helicopters, which have not been used in combat. Those troops are part of a total 31,600 U.S. personnel in theatre, supporting 650 U.S. aircraft.