April 26, 1999
Web posted at: 3:36 p.m. EDT (1936 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary William Cohen on Tuesday is expected to announce the call-up of thousands of military reservists to assist in the NATO air war on Yugoslavia, CNN has learned.

Sources did not reveal the number of reservists to be called up, but the number was potentially as high as 33,000.

In other developments on Monday:

• The Pentagon announced it had ordered the deployment of 30 more tanker aircraft to "Operation Allied Force." Spokesman Ken Bacon said KC-10 and KC-135 refueling aircraft would be sent from bases in four U.S. states.

• Although 18 U.S. Army Apache helicopters and their supporting troops and equipment are now stationed in Albania, they are not yet ready for action against Yugoslav ground forces, Pentagon sources told CNN.

Contrary to comments made by a NATO spokesman in Brussels, the sources said it will still be some time before the full complement of 24 AH-60 Apache attack helicopters is in place along with the support crews that defend Apaches with ground-based rocket launchers while the attack helicopters are in action.

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