The tailart on Turkish F-16s is second to none in Europe in both colour as well as in design. This picture might help in the identification of the units. Thanks to Jaco Haasnoot for supplying most of the pictures.

Scramble Copyright

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) developed the Hürkuş HYEU Forward Air Controller training aircraft to 135 Filo at Konya air base. The Hürkuş HYEU was developed from the training version of this indigenously developed trainer, the Hürkuş B. A total of six Hürkuş HYEU will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force (TurAF). HYEU stands for Hava Yer Entegrasyon Uçagi, which translates literally to Air to Ground Integration Aircraft, hinting towards the versatility of the roles which can be to train Forward Air Controllers, Forward Combat Controllers and Joint Fire Support Teams.

Turkish Air Force

Çorlu Tekirdağ (LTBU)
Atatürk Int'l

RWY 04/22     POS 41°07'46"N 027°54'23"E     ELEV 570 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Keşan Uçuş Eğitim ve Test Merkezi
Baykar Savunma Test and delivery site for:
Bayraktar Akıncı UCAS
Most if not all Bayraktar UAS' are delivered via Çorlu Tekirdağ Airport.
İncirlik (LTAG)
Adana

RWY 05/23     POS 37°00'07"N 035°25'32"E     ELEV 238

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
10ncu Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
101 Filo KC-135R Asena

152 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
Akinci (Raiders) ye/bk

204 A&K Filo AS532UL Burak
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı
302 Filo Anka-S UCAS Şimşek (Lightning)
"10nci Tanker Üs Komutanlığı" (10th Tanker Base Command) changed to 10nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı (10th Main Jet Base Command) in April 2024 to better reflect its role.

152 Filo moved from Merzifon to Incirlik after the 15 July 2016 coup-attempt. By 2018 this move was permanent, and the unit lost the Block 30 F-16s in the process.

204 Search and Rescue squadron seems to have taken over the tradition "Burak" from former Malatya/Erhaç-based 7 AJÜ A&KK.

14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik.

Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command

The sole F-4E unit in the Turkish Air Force is 111 Filo and it is operating out of Eskisehir.

Turkish Air Force

A dying breed, the F-4E-2020. This special-paint Terminator was making some amazing low passes during the Anatolian Eagle exercise at Konya in 2022.

Marco Dijkshoorn

İzmir/Kakliç (LTFA)
Çigli West

RWY 17/35     POS 38°31'01"N 026°58'37"E     ELEV 17 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
2nci Ana Jet Üssü Uçuş Eğitim Merkez Komutanliği
123 Başlangıç Eğitim Filosu SF260D
MFI-395
Palaz (Duckling Flt.)

125 Nakliye ve SAR Eğitim Filosu AS532UL
CN235-100M
UH-1H
Azman (Monstrous)
It is to be expected that the SF260D aircraft will be replaced by the PAC Super Mushshak trainers that were ordered in 2016.

125 Filo took over the transport role of 203 Filo that used to be at Izmir Adnan Menderes. In turn, 125 Filo was tasked with training of CN235, AS532 and UH-1H advanced training and was transferred to Konya-based 135 Filo.

125 Filo is one of the units operating the CN235M-100. It was expanded during 2009 after the disbandmend of 203 Filo at Izmir Adnan Menderes.

Marco Dijkshoorn

125 Filo operates the Cougar and the CASA/TAI CN235M-100 in the SAR, Troop Insertion and tactical transport roles.

Marco Dijkshoorn

İzmir/Çigli (LTBL)

RWY 17/35 (17L/35R)     POS 38°30'47"N 027°00'36"E     ELEV 16 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
2nci Ana Jet Üssü Uçuş Eğitim Merkez Komutanliği
121 Tekamül Filosu T-38M Ari (Bee)

122 Temel Filosu KT-1T Akrep (Scorpion)

Öğretmen Yetiştirme Standardize ve Alet Filosu aircraft on loan from 121 & 122 Filolar Standarize (Standardization)
122 Filo was slated to receive the TAI Hürkus B but these were all sold to Africa instead.

The T-38A fleet was completely overhauled under the "Ari" (Bee) upgrade at TAI, Akinici. After the upgrade the aircraft were designated as T-38M and painted in a different livery.

Melchior Timmers

The SIAI Marchetti SF260D is the basic trainer for the TurAF, after the aspiring pilots graduate from the Hava Harp Okuly at Yalova, flying with the T-41D Mescalero, they transfer to 123 Filo "Duckling Flight" at İzmir-Kakliç.

Melchior Timmers

Ankara/Etimesgut (LTAD)

RWY 11L/29R, 11R/29L     POS 39°56'59"N 032°41'19"E     ELEV 2653 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
11inci Hava Ulaştırma Ana Üs Komutanlığı
211 Filo CN235-100M (Cargo and Ambulance) Gegzin (Globetrotter)

212 Özel Filo Ce560
Ce650
CN235-100M
G-IV
G550
UH-1H
Dogan (Hawk)

GES Hava Birligi CN235EW (ELINT/SIGINT)
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Başbakanlık
VIP Flt A319-115 (ACJ)
A319-133 (ACJ)
A330-243
A340-542
Ce560
CL-850
G450
G550
GES = Genelkurmay Elektronik Sistemler or Joint Staff Electronics Command.

The Turkish Air Force initiated the locally designated program "Hava Platformunda Uzaktan Elektronik Destek ve Elektronik Taarruz Kabiliyeti Kazanimi Projesi" or in short, the Hava SOJ. The HAVA SOJ stand-off jammer aircraft is designed to suppress enemy air defense surveillance and long range detection and jamming missions. The platform is build on the Canadair Global 6000. This is MSN 9854 TC-SJA at Izmir Adnan Menderes in May 2020.

Berk Ürşen

High-ranking officers and VIPs are treated well. 212 Filo operates this Cessna 650

Marco Dijkshoorn

Ankara/Mürted (LTAE)

RWY 03/21 (03L/21R)     POS 40°04'44"N 032°33'56"E     ELEV 2767 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)
TAI Various Aircraft manufacture and overhaul
Mürted was called Akıncı before the 15th of July 2016 attempted coup d'état. After the attempted coup d'état, the units of the 4th Ana Jet Üssu (Main Jet Base) were disbanded and the airbase was closed and converted into reserve air base Mürted Hava Meydan Komutanlığı.

Eskişehir-based 113 Filo "Ceylan" (Gazelle) inherited the squadron traditions of former Akıncı-based 142 Filo when it was re-established after the attempted coup d'état. The unit previously operated the 46 former German Air Force RF-4E's.

Marco Dijkshoorn

The cockpits of the Turkish KT-1T and the T-38M are identical, making the shift from the Secondary training to Advanced as smooth as possible.

Melchior Timmers

Balıkesir (LTBF)

RWY 18/36 (18R/36L)     POS 39°37'09"N 027°55'33"E     ELEV 340 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
9uncu Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
191 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
F-16C-50TM
F-16D-50TM
Kobra (Cobra)

192 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
Kaplan (Tiger) ye/bk

193 Eğitim Filo (OCU) F-16C-30
F-16D-30
F-16C-50
F-16D-50
Öncel ye/bk
191 Filo was disbanded after the coup-attempt and all the aircraft were transferred to 192 Filo during July/August 2018, the unit was re-erected in early 2021.

192 Filo and 191 Filo have merged because of the pilot shortage in the TurAF. 192 Filo aircraft are operated by 191 Filo as a result.
193 Filo received the tradition and aircraft of 153 Filo during July/August 2018. 153 Filo received its aircraft from 143 Filo in nov16. Both 143 and 153 Filos have been disbanded.

Bandırma (LTBG)

RWY 18/36 (18R/36L)     POS 40°19'05"N 027°58'40"E     ELEV 170 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
6ncı Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
161 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
F-16C-50+
F-16D-50+
Yarasa (Bat) wh/bk

162 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
Zipkin (Harpoon)

6 AJÜ A&KK AS532UL Umut (Hope)
161 is a LANTIRN squadron and to underline the night strike mission of it, one side of its F-16’s tails are painted with hawk and the other side with a Bat (Yarasa).

162 Filo was disbanded during July/August 2018 and all the aircraft were transferred to 161 Filo. During 2022, the unit was reactivated.
Batman (LTCJ)

RWY 02/20     POS 37°55'45"N 041°06'59"E     ELEV 1822 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı
1nci İnsansız Hava Aracı Filo Unknown UCAS

341inci Filo Akıncı A/B UCAS
Anka-S UCAS
Heron I "Gozcu 1" UCAS
Gölge (Shadow)

IHA Bakim Komutanlığı UCAS Maintenance
UCAS Overhaul
2nci IHA Filo was renumbered during June 2018 to 341 Filo. It started operating the Akıncı UCAS in 2022.
IHA Bakım Komutanlığı = UAV Maintenance Unit
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik.

Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command

101 Filo is one of the newest Filo's in the Turkish Air Force, operating the KC-135R in the Aerial Refueling role.

Marco Dijkshoorn

341 Filo "Gölge" is the first Air Force unit to operate the Baykar Savunma Akıncı UAV.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Diyarbakir (LTCC)

RWY 16/34, 16R/34L     POS 37°53'37"N 040°12'02"E     ELEV 2254 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
8nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
181 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
F-16C-50+
F-16D-50+
Pars (Leopard)

182 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
Atmaca (Hawk)

202 A&K Filo AS532UL
CN235-100M
Şark (East)

182 Filo F-16D touches down at Albacete, Spain during Exercise Trident Juncture in November 2015.

Jens Schymura

Diyarbakır hosts 202 Filo operating the CN235M-100, its name "Şark" means East, depicting the location on the Turkish map but it sounds like... yes, Shark.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Dukhan/Tamim (--)

RWY (16L/34R) 16R/34L     POS 25°28'06"N 050°59'59"E     ELEV 90 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Katar Hava Unsur Komutanlığı
Türk-Katar Müşterek Filosu F-16C
F-16D
Since July 2024, F-16 fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force have been deployed to Tamin/Dukhan Air Base in Qatar with the establishment of the Katar Hava Unsur Komutanlığı (Qatar Air Component Command) with underlying Türk-Katar Müşterek Filosu (Turkish-Qatari Joint Squadron). The joint squadron consists of aircraft provided by a mixed bag of units. In August 2024 132 Filo, 161 Filo, 113 Filo and 192/191 Filo participated.
Eskişehir (LTBI)

RWY 09/27 (09R/27L)     POS 39°47'03"N 030°34'56"E     ELEV 2581 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
1nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
111 Filo F-4E-2020 Panter (Panter)

113 Filo RF-16C/D with DB-110 mods
F-16C-30TM
F-16C-50TM
F-16D-30TM
F-16D-50TM
Ceylan (Gazelle) (was Isik (Light)) rd/bk

201 A&K Filo AS532UL
CN235-100M
UH-1H
Atak (Audacious)

311 OSEM Filo Akıncı A/B/C
+ SatCom control for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Doruk (Peak)

401 Test Filosu F-4E-2020
F-16C-30
F-16C-40TM
Rüya (Dream) or

110 Filo F-4E-2020
F-16C
113 "Ceylan" Filo was re-established after the failed Coup on July 15, 2016. It took over the traditions of 142 "Cylan" Filo and operates the F-16's that can be equipped with the DB-110 Recce pod.

113 Filo was disbanded in April 2014 (together with the RF-4E they operated) but was reinstated, using the F-16C/D, in 2016.

201 Filo got the A&K (Arama ve Kurtarma = Search & Rescue) designation by mid-2016.

The SatCom missions of the TurAF UAV fleet operating out of Batman (341 Gölge Filo) and Incirlik (302 Simsek Filo) are controlled by OSEM Filo (similar to the USAF Creech AFB effort).

401 Filo was formed in early 2014. Its mission is Test & Evaluation of new systems and weapons.

110 Filo is a fake unit that was created for the Turkish TV show "Hür" (Free) that was shot since 2023. Multiple aircraft were painted with the unit patch and received "110-00xx" series serial numbers. Needless to say, that the series are heavily sponsored by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
Istanbul/Atatürk (LTBA)
Yesilköy

RWY 06/24, 18L/36R, 18R/36L     POS 40°58'34"N 028°48'50"E     ELEV 158 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Hava Harp Okulu
126 Filo MFI-395
T-41D
(Sparrow Flight)

HvHO A&KK UH-1H
Yesilköy is the miltary part of Istanbul - Atatürk International Airport.
126 Filo (previously HvHO 5 Filo/Serçe Kol) is the only flying class. The other HvHO classes have no aircraft assigned to them but do have their own patches.
126 Filo uses Yalova, just across the Bosporus as a Forward Operating Base due to the congested airspace around Atatürk IAP.

The selection of pilots for the Turkish Air Force is done with the SZD-50-3 Puchacz gliders that are operated by the Hava Harp Okulu Planör Kampi.

TuAF picture

The T-41D is the second platform that the aspirant pilots of the Turkish Air Force will fly, after being trained on Gliders. The T-41Ds of the Hava Harp Okulu are officially operated out of Istanbul Yesilköy Hava Meydani but have regular camps on Yalova Hava Meydani, just south of Yesilköy.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Istanbul/Sabiha Gökçen (LTFJ)
Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Başbakanlık
VIP Flt. B747-8ZV
Kayseri/Erkilet (LTAU)

RWY 07/25 (07L/25R)     POS 38°46'13"N 035°29'44"E     ELEV 3463 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
12nci Hava Ulaştırma Ana Üs Komutanlığı
221 Filo A400M
C-160D
Esen (Brise)

222 Filo C-130B
C-130E
Alev (Flame)
Keşan (LTFL)

RWY 02/20, HEL     POS 40°47'14"N 026°36'24"E     ELEV 143 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Keşan Uçuş Eğitim ve Test Merkezi
Baykar Uçuş Okulu Test site for:
Bayraktar TB2/TB2S
Baykar Gözcü Mini İHA
And others
Baykar Uçuş Okulu is the test site for Baykar Savunma (Baykar Defence) Bayraktar UAS.
Konya (LTAN)

RWY 01L/19R, 01R/19L     POS 37°58'41"N 032°33'42"E     ELEV 3390 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
3ncü Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
131 Filo E-7T (B737AEW&C) Ejder (Dragon)

132 Filo F-16C-30TM
F-16D-30TM
F-16C-50
F-16D-50
Hançer (Dagger)

134 (Akrotim) Filo NF-5A-2000
NF-5B-2000
Türk Yildizlari (Turkish Stars)

135 Pk ve İHK Filo AS532AL
AS532UL
CN235-100M
T-70
Ates (Fire)
132 Filo at Konya transferred its F-4E-2020 to 111 Filo at Eskisehir during 2014. Its mission was changed from Weapons, Tactics & Test to Combat.

The TurAF marketing machine Solotürk has moved from Mürted to Konya in July 2016 and is now operating under 132 Filo. The unit received Block 30 F-16s from 153 Filo when that was disbanded.


3 AJÜ A&KK was renamed to 135 Filo in 2010.

135 Filo Ates (Fire) operates the CASA/TAI CN235M-100 in the tactical Transport Role.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Four 131 Filo Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle aircraft (locally designated E-7T) along with ground support systems were delivered to the Turkish Air Force from September 2007.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Merzifon (LTAP)
Amasya

RWY 05/23 (05L/23R)     POS 40°49'44"N 035°31'18"E     ELEV 1783

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
5nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
151 Filo F-16C-40TM
F-16D-40TM
F-16C-50TM
F-16D-50TM
Savasan Kurt (Fighting Wolf), was Tunç (Bronze) rd/bk

203 A&K Filo AS532UL Melek (Angel)
After the July 2016 coup, 151 Filo was named "Fighting Wolves", contrary to Anatolian Wolves that was used before for 141 Filo. During 2017/2018 it received Block 40 F-16sbesides classical HARM-armed Block 50s.
5 AJÜ A&KK was renamed 203 A&K Filo
Muğla/Dalaman (LTBS)

RWY 01L/19R, 01R/19L     POS 36°42'45"N 028°47'29"E     ELEV 20 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı
3ncü İnsansız Hava Aracı Filo Komutanlığı Harpy UCAS
(Anka UCAS)
16ncı Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı
??? Filo Akıncı UCAS
F-16C/D
It is unknown under which unit the F-16s and Akıncı UCASs will be operating from Dalaman. They might TDY to Dalaman from their home bases. It has also been reported that 162 Filo might move here when the new F-16 Block 70 deliveries commence.

14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik.

Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command
Yalova (LTBP)

RWY 08/26, 18/36     POS 40°41'04"N 029°22'33"E     ELEV 6 ft

Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Name Tailcolour Badge
Hava Harp Okulu
Planör Kampi SZD50-3 Marti (Seagull)

126 Filo (det.) MFI-395
T-41D
5 Filo/Serçe Kol was renamed 126 Filo.

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