Operation Maritime Monitor

On 10 July 1992 the Foreign Ministers of the North Atlantic Alliance agreed to a NATO contribution to the monitoring of sanctions mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 713 and 757. The NATO Standing Naval Force Mediterranean started patrolling an area in international waters off the Montenegro coast on 16 July 1992, within operation "Maritime Monitor". The WEU forces patrolled the Otranto Straits in international waters within operation "Sharp Vigilance".

The NATO naval force was supported by maritime patrol aircraft, both those under NATO command and those operating on behalf of the WEU. The NATO MPA shared their information with WEU and other international units. US, UK and Portuguese MPA aircraft flew more than 200 sorties within NATO control. NATO E3-A Airborne Early Warning (NAEW) Aircraft provided all the involved international units with operational connectivity, including an air radar picture which was integrated with the surveillance conducted by the various Maritime Patrol Aircraft, helicopters and ships on patrol.

Operation MARITIME MONITOR ended on 22 November 1992 when NATO forces commenced enforcement operations in support of the UN Security Council Resolution 787. This new operation was named "MARITIME GUARD".