| The Turkish Air Force |
The Turkish Air Force or Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (TurAF) celebrated its 100th birthday in 2011, making it one of the oldest air forces in the world. While still part of the Ottoman Empire, the TurAF was founded on the first of June 1911 and the first two pilots were trained in France that same year. The TurAF has come a long way since and can be regarded as one of the most modern and potent air forces in Europe. While in absolute numbers the air force may not grow, in fire power and capabilities it certainly did and will do in the future.
In the Primary Training role, the SZD-50-3 Puchacz gliders play their role and after graduation on this type, the pilots continue to the Training program of the Hava Harp Okulu on the T-41D. Basic training is the next step and that is done on the SF260D on Izmir-Kakliç. When finished, the students are allowed to move about two miles east, to Izmir-Çigli. The Primary Training is still done on the T-37B/C but these are to be replaced by the KAI/TAI KT-1T that were introduced in the inventory in December 2010. For the Advanced Training syllabus, the TurAF uses the T-38A and the upgraded version under the Ari program: the T-38M. The Northrop F-5-2000 is the conversion type being used by 132 Filo and pilots that are eventually going to fly the Phantom or F-16 are being trained at Konya by the before mentioned unit.
The Fighter/Bomber fleet consists of the F-4E-2020 Terminator, the RF-4E/TM Isik upgraded Recce Phantoms and F-4E/TM Simsek upgraded Phantoms that are expected to soldier on for some decades still. The backbone of the fighter/bomber fleet however is being formed by the Lockheed F-16 of which three generations (Block 30, 40 and 50+) are in service.
The Transport fleet consist of a number of CN235M-100 aircraft that are distributed across the country. From Erkilet the C-130 Hercules and C-160D TransAll are being utilized for the heavier transport duties.
The Helicopter fleet consists mainly of Arama Kurtarma (Search & Rescue) Filo's that are located at every Ana Jet Üs (major air wings) and operate the AS532AL Cougar. Some UH-1H Hueys also soldier on.
Aerial Refueling is done by the fleet of KC-135Rs that are flown from Inçirlik in the Adana province.
The Electronic Warfare, Command and Control and Air Early Warning and Control roles are being fulfilled by a number of modified ELINT/SIGINT CN235's, designated CN235EW which are likely to belong to GES (Genelkurmay Elektronik Sistemler or Joint Staff Electronics Command and the Boeing 737 AEW&C WedgeTail aircraft that will be operated by 131 Filo when delivered.
For VIP transport the TurAF operates a number of Cessna 550/650s as well as two G550 and one Gulfstream 4.
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| Air Force Commands (Hava Kuvvet Komutanligi) |
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The TurAF comprises of four Air Force Commands (nci HKK):
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| 1nci HKK |
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The first Air Force Command consists of four major air wings (or Ana Jet Üs (AJÜ)), situated in the western part of Turkey.
The headquarters are situated in Eskisehir. The aircraft that operate under this command wear yellow/black checkered tail bands.
1nci AJÜ - Eskisehir
3nci AJÜ - Konya
4nci AJÜ - Ankara/Akinci
6nci AJÜ - Bandirma
9nci AJÜ - Balikesir
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Besides those bases, 1nci has the following secondary airbases (Hava Meydani) where regular deployments are taking place: Izmir-Adnan Menderes, Çorlu, Afyon, Akhisar, Sivrihisar and Istanbul Atatürk IAP.
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| 2nci HKK |
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The headquarters of the second Air Force Command in Diyarbakir has the responsibility of three airbases in the east of Turkey.
The aircraft that operate under this command wear red/white checkered tail bands.
5nci AJÜ - Merzifon
7nci AJÜ - Erhaç
8nci AJÜ - Diyarbakir
10nci AJÜ - Incirlik
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2nci also has Hava Meydani. These are Batman, Erzurum, Mus and Sivas. From Batman, the UAV's are being operated.
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| Air Training Command (Hava Egitim Komutanligi) |
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The third Air Force command has its headquarters in Izmir and consits of three AJÜ's, which all act as part of Hava Egitim Komutanligi or Air Training Command.
2nci AJÜ - Izmir-Çigli and Izmir-Kakliç
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| Air Logistics Command (Hava Lojistik Komutanligi) |
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The Air Logistics Command is responsible for fulfilling logistic needs as well maintenance for the TurAF aircraft. The three Hava Ikmal Bakim Merkezi Komutanligi or Air Force Maintenance centers are:
1 HIBM.K - Eskisehir
2 HIBM.K - Kayseri/Erkilet
3 HIBM.K - Etimesgut
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| The TurAF serial system |
In 1971 the TurAF went through a reorganization that put an end to the use of the square roundel of the aircraft. It was replaced by the circular roundel that the TurAF still uses today. In that same year all TurAF aircraft were assigned a "fiscal year" like we know from the USAF serial number system. The fiscal year assigned is derived from the year of production or delivery of the aircraft.
- Whilst most of the TurAF aircraft were delivered from the United States of America, the serials carried on the aircraft or used for TurAF records is the serial assigned by the Department of Defense. For example Lockheed F-104G 61-2623. The tail number that is painted on the aircraft is always derived from the DoD serial number. For example 12623
- When the aircraft was not assigned a DoD serial number like ex RCAF CF-104 104869, the possible serial number carried on the aircraft would be 62-869, reflecting the production year of 1962.
- Another possibility that is used for serial number assignment is the aircrafts construction number. For example CN235M-100 with tail number 91-052 was assigned construction number C-052 by CASA and was delivered in 1991. And on F-104S with tail number 6888 both the construction number and the serial number are identical.
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Photo: Marco Dijkshoorn
Photo: Marco Dijkshoorn
Photo: Marco Dijkshoorn
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Order of Battle 