In March 1995, while NATO was planning a new strategy to support peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a ceasefire brokered by former US President Jimmy Carter between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) and the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) forces expired and, as predicted, fighting resumed. As the struggle gradually widened, the ARBiH launched a large-scale offensive in the area of Sarajevo. In response to this attack, the VRS seized heavy weapons from a UN-guarded depot, and began shelling targets around Sarajevo. In retaliation for these actions, the UN commander, Lieutenant General Rupert Smith requested NATO air strikes. NATO responded on 25 and 26 May 1995 by bombing a VRS ammunition dump at Pale. The mission was carried out by USAF F-16s and Spa