ALLIED HARVEST I – II

During the operation “Allied Force”, there were intense and multiple aerial and naval bombardments conducted by NATO forces against forces loyal to the Federal Republic of. The areas most affected by these activities had been in the Adriatic Sea and Kosovo. The operation, which ended in June 1999, had left several polluting traces in the Adriatic Sea and some unexploded ordnance dangerous for the environment, fishermen and submarine activities in the area. The “Allied Harvest” operation was launched on June 12, 1999, following the accidents that occurred to some fishing vessels due to the presence of bombs released by NATO aircraft used during the conflict in the Balkans. During the 73 days of the mission, 93 bombs were found, covering 1,041 square nautical miles. Two NATO formations took part in the search: the “Mine Countermeasures Force for Western Europe” (Mcmfornorth) and the “Mine Countermeasures Force for the Mediterranean” (Mcmformed). 11 minesweepers and a support ship, provided by several NATO countries, were deployed. Italy ensured the continuous activity of five units per day.

The logistic base of the mission was established in Ancona and supported by British, German and Belgian units. A few months later, the Italian authorities, after intercepting further ordnance in the area, asked again for NATO support: on 8 April 2000 a new mission with the same modalities and purposes was launched, called “Allied Harvest II”.