(3 Sep 1995) English/Nat
The American Aircraft Carrier USS Roosevelt is standing by in the Adriatic ready to launch more air strikes against the Bosnian Serbs, following NATO's ultimatum.
The crew of the carrier will also be at the forefront of rescue missions should any pilots get shot down during a mission.
American planes aboard the aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt are poised to renew Operation Deliberate Force in the skies over Bosnia .
The failure of talks with the Bosnian Serbs means that they could be in action again sometime in the next 72 hours.
NATO spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Janice Witt said that NATO was not currently conducting any air strikes, but the situation could change at any moment.
The last air strike was carried out before dawn on Friday,
targeting Bosnian Serb positions around Sarajevo, the western
alliance said.
SOUNDBITE:
(English)
"I guess my involvement in something that is such a big international exercise - you know - it sort of increases my personal feelings, satisfaction that a: it matters a lot to a lot of people around the world, probably more importantly it's a chance for me to do what I've trained to do for several years.
SUPER CAPTION: US Pilot
The American F-18s are armed with laser guided bombs to destroy Serb ammunition dumps and communications systems.
The experience of Lieutenant Scott O'Grady - shot down over Bosnia in earlier air strikes - has reminded everyone of the dangers involved here.
Preparations have been made to recover any other pilots who might get shot down.
SOUNDBITE:
(English)
"Part of our training, and we continually hone those skills while we're deployed. We've done a number of rescue exercises whilst we've been in theatre so ... And again anytime we're running strikes, we're prepared to rescue any pilots who go down over land so ... It's a constant, continuous thing.
SUPER CAPTION: U.S. Pilot
For now, it's a practice but the day after tomorrow, it could be the real thing.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
