Incirlik Air Ops Halt Following Coup Attempt

Air operations at Incirlik AB, Turkey, a key base in the fight against ISIS, have stopped following a coup attempt by Rogue members of the Turkish military, an Air Force official told Air Force Magazine. “The Turkish government has closed its airspace to military aircraft, and, as a result, air operations at Incirlik Air Base have been halted at this time. US officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible,” the official said. “In the meantime, we are coordinating with US Central Command as they adjust flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimize any effects on the campaign.” As of Saturday afternoon Eastern Time base officials were continuing efforts to account for all Defense Department personnel in Turkey, but “all indications at this time are that everyone is safe.” Despite losing commercial power, the base was able to run on internal power sources. In July 2015, Turkey agreed to allow the US to carry out strikes against ISIS from Incirlik, which is located near the Syrian border, in addition to ISR missions. The Air Force has deployed F-16s and A-10s to the base and in April the Marine Corps deployed EA-6B Prowlers to Incirlik, bringing an electronic warfare capability that was not there before. (NATO Secretrary General Jens Stoltenberg statement on coup attempt.) (Readout of President Obama’s Update on Security Situation in Turkey.)