Turkish pilots within the Air Defender 2023, the biggest multinational air protection train in NATO’s historical past, have garnered reward from their fellow American and German individuals.
From June 12-23, as much as 10,000 train individuals from 25 nations with 250 plane carried out defensive maneuvers in European airspace beneath the command of the German Air Force.
Türkiye additionally participated within the train with three F-16 plane, which flew from the 151st Squadron Command in Merzifon, a Turkish city in Amasya province within the Black Sea area, to Germany, conducting roughly 40 sorties all through the train.
Turkish fighter pilot Col. Ersin Ozmen advised Anadolu that the Turkish Air Force participated with three F-16 jets and 56 personnel.
“Our aim was to increase the operational capacity and coordination with NATO member countries,” he mentioned. “For us, it was a great opportunity to demonstrate our combat readiness and enhance our cooperation with NATO members.”
Ozmen added: “We worked mutually with all countries. We carried out missions simultaneously from different airbases. We saw that it is feasible. Such missions will also be performed in a real operational environment. Therefore, it was a valuable training opportunity for us.”
American Lt. Col. Josh Higgins, an F-15 pilot and staff commander who got here from the US base in New Orleans, mentioned he had a number of interactions with Turkish pilots in the course of the air drill, and referred to as them “good and professional,” and that they discovered whereas flying collectively.
A German officer who labored with the Turkish staff all through the train additionally expressed satisfaction with their collaboration. “I had worked with the Turkish team nine years ago. Therefore, I knew what to expect. They were excellent, and the exercise went very well,” he mentioned.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
