Two HC-130J Combat King IIs sit on the flight line in preparation for cargo unload at Diyarbakir Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 28, 2015. The aircraft is deployed to Diyarbakir in an effort to enhance coalition capabilities and support personnel recovery operations in Syria and Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush)

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Equipment in support of U.S. Air Forces Central Command personnel recovery mission arrive on a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 28, 2015, at Diyarbakir Air Base, Turkey. The deployment of assets and personnel will enable the USAFCENT with recovery of coalition partners should they need assistance in Syria or Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush)

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Senior Airman Ashley Igulo, a 14th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, guides Senior Airmen Greguy Bolivar, a 435th Contingency Response Squadron air transportation journeyman, Sept. 28, 2015, during a delivery of equipment for U.S. Air Forces Central Command personnel recovery mission at Diyarbakir Air Base, Turkey. The deployment of personnel recovery assets in Turkey will enable the USAFCENT with recovery of our coalition partners should they need assistance in Syria or Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush)

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Airmen, aircraft set up in Turkey to support recovery ops in Syria, Iraq

Published Oct. 5, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command has begun staging small detachments of aircraft and airmen at Diyarbakir Air Base in southeast Turkey to enhance coalition capabilities to support personnel recovery operations in Syria and Iraq.

Diyarbakir is a Turkish base home to the Turkish air force's 8th Air Wing. Turkey and the U.S. are longtime NATO allies and the U.S. Air Force has a long history of working alongside its Turkish counterparts. This deployment will enable Airmen to better assist with recovery of coalition partners should they need assistance in Syria or Iraq.

"We will be guests of the government of Turkey at Diyarbakir Air Base; there are no plans for a permanent U.S. presence at this location," said Gen. Phillip Breedlove, NATO's supreme allied commander and the U.S. European Command commander. "This marks yet another successful cooperative effort between the Turkish and U.S. militaries."

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