Meant to promote peace and stability in the region, the multinational operation calls for NATO fighter jets to patrol Yugoslavian borders with Albania and Macedonia. Reconnaissance, airborne warning and tanker aircraft, along with helicopters, are also participating in the airpower demonstration.

While some missions are launching from Aviano, located 50 miles north of Venice, others are flying from additional European sites.

In recent weeks, Serbian forces have cracked down on ethnic Albians who live in Kosovo and wish for the small province to become an independent state. More than 250 people were killed, while thousands of others were pushed from their homeland.

NATO defense leaders have expressed concern about the violence spreading across the Balkans, drawing in neighboring countries.