Operation Deliberate Guard

Operation Decisive Edge transitioned to Deliberate Guard in support of the stabilization force (SFOR) Operation Joint Guard. Carrier and shore-based squadrons continued flight operations in support of joint and combined enforcement of a U.N.-mandated no-fly zone in the airspace over the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Throughout 1997, Italy-based Marine F/A-18D and EA-6B aircraft provided suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and electronic warfare to IFOR. This included support from the Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance Processing Evaluation System that provided critical, analyzed intelligence information to the area commanders. In addition, Navy maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with electrooptical sensors, provided real-time, still and full motion video imagery to the ground commanders.