MACEDONIA: ITALIAN NATO FORCES IN MACEDONIA TAKE THEIR MANGUSTA ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE AIR AS PART OF TRAINING

Record ID: 861921

  • Title: MACEDONIA: ITALIAN NATO FORCES IN MACEDONIA TAKE THEIR MANGUSTA ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE AIR AS PART OF TRAINING
  • Date: 25th April 1999
  • Summary: KRIVOLAC, SOUTHERN MACEDONIA (APRIL 24, 1999) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) SLV/LV MANGUSTA HELICOPTERS TAKIN OFF/FLYING IN THE AIR OVER TERRAIN (5 SHOTS) SLV/LV VARIOUS OF MANGUSTA HELICOPTER FIRING MISSILES (12 SHOTS) SLV HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND, PILOTS BRINGING MISSILES TO HELICOPTER IN CRATES SV/CU HELICOPTER, MISSILE CARRIAGE (2 SHOTS) MCU (ENGLISH) ROBERTO MENINI, OFFICER FOR AIR OPERATIONS FOR ITALIAN ARMY: "The apache is twice as large as the Mangusta, it can carry more weapons, but the system is the same, they can carry out the same mission during the day or night." SLVQ OF HELICOPTER REFUELLING
  • Embargoed: 10th May 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KRIVOLAC, SOUTHERN MACEDONIA
  • City:
  • Country: Macao
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8E2UJUO343KIQCQDJNFDIW9B4
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Italian NATO forces in Macedonia took their Mangusta attack helicopters to the air on Saturday, firing on tanks stationed across the hilly valley as part of training.
    The helicpoters have been brought to Macedonia in the case of an attack mission according to Italian soldiers.
    Although smaller than the Apache helicopter now stationed in neighbouring Albania, the Mangoosta can carry out the same mission.
    Captain Roberto Menini, in charge of air operations for the Italian army said the Mangusta helicopters are used for attack missions, and have been compared to the Apache although the Apache can carry more missiles.
    The helicopters are just one example of the heavy artillery that has been brought into Macedonia which also includes Puma helicopters and challenger tanks.
    Initially brought to Macedonia as a possible peacekeeping force, the 12,000 NATO soldiers stationed in the country are now awaiting news of their next role, hoping it will still be one of a peacekeeping force and not an invasion force.
    Nato forces have spread themselves througout the country and set up positions along the border with Kosovo.
    Their presence is a sensitive issue with the Macedonian government that fears reprisals from Serbia if NATO enters Kosovo from Macedonia.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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