Turkish Air Force
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The Turkish Air Force (Turkish: Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) is the aviation branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.
The Commander in Chief is General Hilmi Özkök and the Branch General is Faruk Cömert.
History
Founding years
The TuAF was founded in June 1909, making it one of the oldest combat aviation organizations in the world. Its formation came about after the Ottoman Empire sent two Turkish pilots to the International Aviation Conference in Paris. After witnessing the growing importance of an air combat support branch, the Turkish government decided to organize its own military aviation program. For this purpose, officers were sent to Europe by the end of 1910 to participate in the study of combat flight. However, because of bad living conditions, the student program was aborted and the trainees returned to Turkey in the spring of 1911.
Although left without any governmental guidelines for establishing an air force, the Turkish Minister of Defence of the time, Mahmut Şevket, continued to encourage the idea of a military aviation program and sent officers Fesa and Yusuf Kenan, who achieved the highest maneuvering points in a piloting test conducted in 1911, to France to receive a more satisfactory flight education.
In late 1911 Süreyya Ilmen was instructed with founding the Havacılık Komisyonu (Aviation Commission) bound to the Harbiye Bakanlığı Fen Kıtaları Müstahkem Genel Müfettişliği (War Ministry Science Detachment General Inspectorship).
Turkish pilots
In 1912, Fesa and Yusuf Kenan completed their flight education and returned home with the 780th/797th French aviation diploma. In the same year, eight more Turkish officers were sent to France for flight education. By the beginning of 1913, the Ottoman Empire prepared its first pilots and planes, and with the founding of the Hava Okulu (Air Academy) in Istanbul, the Empire began to tutor its own flight officers. The founding of the Academy quickened advancement in the military aviation program, increased the number of enlisted persons within it, and gave the new pilots an active role in the Armed Forces.
Because of the lack of experience of the Turkish pilots, the first stage of the Balkan War (1912-1913) ended with the loss of several aircraft. However, the second stage was marked with great success in that the pilots were battle-hardened. Many recruits joined the Air Academy following a surge of Turkish nationalism during the war.
With the end of the Balkan War a modernization process started and new planes were bought. A new military academy, Deniz Hava Okulu (Naval Aviation Academy) was founded, also in Istanbul. With the outbreak of the First World War, the modernization process stopped aprubtly, but in 1915 some German officers came to the Ottoman Empire and some Turkish officers went to Germany for flight education.
The Ottoman Air Force fought on many fronts during the First World War, reaching from the Caucasus to Yemen.
Efforts were made to reorganize the Ottoman Air Force, but this ended in 1918 with the end of the First World War and the occupation of Istanbul.
With the end of the First World War and the occupation of the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman Air Force was nothing more than a department. All personnel, including pilots and teachers, were either relieved of duty or disbanded, and all air force governmental buildings closed. Some optimistic Turks tried to build new units in Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Elazig and Diyarbakir with planes left over from the First World War and tried to bring together flight personnel, but were unsuccessful.
During this time, the Turkish people in Anatolia were roused and ready to fight for their independence and motherland under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Turkish pilots were ready to do this, too, and subsequently joined the Konya Hava Istasyonu (Konya Air Station). Parallel to this, however, the Ottoman Air Force was closed by the Ottoman Ministry of War and all personnel were formally discharged. The Ottoman pilots were thus left without planes and proper assistance and the period of Ottoman Aviation ended. But with the opening of the Great National Assembly in 1920 in Ankara, the reorganization of an ordered Army, the Kuva-yı Havaiye (Air Force) bound to the Harbiye Dairesi (Ministry of War bound to the TBMM) was found. A few damaged aircraft belonging to the Grand National Assembley were repaired, and afterwards used in combat.
In 1921, the Hava Kuvvetleri (Kuva-yı Havaiye) Şubesi air force section was renamed to Hava Kuvvetleri Genel Müdürlüğü, or the Air Force General Command.
Turkish pilots in front of an old plane
After the proclamation of independence and sovereignty and the founding of the Republic of Turkey by the high leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk approaches were made to form a modern Air Force. Consisting of 3 normal and 1 naval aviation unit and an Air Force Academy the number of units was increased to 10 normal and 3 naval aviation units. Starting in 1924 personnel were sent abroad for flight education. In 1925 the Air Force Academy was refounded in Eskişehir and had its first graduates in the same year. The Air Force was reorganized in 1928 and new schools were found for non-pilot personnel. Additional to the personnel sent to England and France personnel were sent to the USA and Italy in 1930.
In 1933 the Air Force became independent and trained its own personnel. The blue uniforms worn by the Air Force were established in 1933 and the Hava Harp Akademisi ("Air War Academy") was founded in 1937. The Turkish Air Force had more than 500 planes in the year of 1940 becoming the strongest Air Force on the Balkan.
Turkish pilots in front of an F-16
Another structural change was made in 1940. The Air Force under the Milli Savunma Bakanligi (Ministry of National Defense) for logistical affairs and the Air Force under the general staff of educational affairs were united to found the Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı (Air Force Command)-- in doing so, the Air Force became a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. The first commander-in-chief was Orgeneral Zeki Doğan.
The Hava Teknik Okullar komutanlığı (Air Technique School Command) was founded in 1950 to unite schools responsible for training non-pilot Air Force personnel. In 1950 it also was decided to upgrade the Air Force fleet through the inclusion of jets. Eight pilots were sent to the USA to receive flight education. They graduated in 1951 and started training jet-pilots in the Turkish Air Force. In the same year the 9th Fighter Wing (9uncu Ana Jet Üssü) was founded as Turkeys first fighter wing in Balıkesir with the 191st, 192nd, and 193rd squadrons being the first established.
Upon Turkey's inclusion in NATO, the process of modernization was accelerated.
In 1962 the Taktik Hava Kuvveti (Tactical Air Force) was founded by upgrading the Hava Tümens (an air unit) to a corps-level organization.
In 1956 the Hava Eğitim Kolordu Komutanlığı (Air Education Corps Command) was founded and all education was united under this command. The command was renamed in Hava Eğitim Komutanlığı (Air Education Command) in 1957.
In 1974 the Air Force was employed in the Cyprus dispute.
With the receipt of 3rd generation jets in 1980, the Air Force was slightly reorganized. The Turkish Air Force was part of the UN peace mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, employing two squadrons (one in the Ghedi fighter wing and after 2000 one in the Aviano fighter wing). They returned to Turkey in 2001.
Structure
Turkish Air Force structure:
- Headquarters, Ankara
- *Air Force Staff Division Command
- **10th Tanker Base Command, İncirlik, Adana
- ***KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft
- **11th Air Transportation Main Base Command, Etimesgut, Ankara
- ***CASA CN-235(T),
- ***Cessna Citation VII,
- ***Cessna Citation II (CE-550),
- ***Gulfstream IV-SP,
- ***3 CASA CN-235 (T) ambulance aircraft
- **12th Air Transportation Main Base Command, Erkilet, Kayseri
- ***C-130 Hercules,
- ***C-160 Transall and
- ***CASA CN-235 (T) aircraft
- 1st Tactical Air Force Command, Eskisehir
- *1st Main Jet Base Group Command
- *4th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *6th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *9th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *15th Missile Base Group Command
- *1st Air Control Group Command
- 2nd Tactical Air Force Commands, Diyarbakir
- *5th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *7th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *8th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *2nd Air Control Group. Command
- Air Training Command, Gaziemir, Izmir
- * 2nd Main Jet Base Group Command
- *3rd Main Jet Base Group Command
- *Air Force Academy Command
- *Air Corps Schools and Technical Training Center Command
- *Air Language School and Airmen Training Brigade Command.
- Air Logistics Command, Etimesgut, Ankara
- *1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *2nd Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *3rd Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *Air Museum Command
These commands consist of:
- 19 Combat squadrons,
- 1 Reconnaissance squadron,
- 6 Training squadrons,
- 6 Transportation squadrons,
- 1 Tanker squadron,
- 8 Surface-to-air missile (SAM) squadrons.
Main equipment
After the proclamation of independence and sovereignty and the founding of the Republic of Turkey by the high leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk approaches were made to form a modern Air Force. Consisting of 3 normal and 1 naval aviation unit and an Air Force Academy the number of units was increased to 10 normal and 3 naval aviation units. Starting in 1924 personnel were sent abroad for flight education. In 1925 the Air Force Academy was refounded in Eskişehir and had its first graduates in the same year. The Air Force was reorganized in 1928 and new schools were found for non-pilot personnel. Additional to the personnel sent to England and France personnel were sent to the USA and Italy in 1930.
In 1933 the Air Force became independent and trained its own personnel. The blue uniforms worn by the Air Force were established in 1933 and the Hava Harp Akademisi ("Air War Academy") was founded in 1937. The Turkish Air Force had more than 500 planes in the year of 1940 becoming the strongest Air Force on the Balkan.
Turkish pilots in front of an F-16
Another structural change was made in 1940. The Air Force under the Milli Savunma Bakanligi (Ministry of National Defense) for logistical affairs and the Air Force under the general staff of educational affairs were united to found the Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı (Air Force Command)-- in doing so, the Air Force became a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. The first commander-in-chief was Orgeneral Zeki Doğan.
The Hava Teknik Okullar komutanlığı (Air Technique School Command) was founded in 1950 to unite schools responsible for training non-pilot Air Force personnel. In 1950 it also was decided to upgrade the Air Force fleet through the inclusion of jets. Eight pilots were sent to the USA to receive flight education. They graduated in 1951 and started training jet-pilots in the Turkish Air Force. In the same year the 9th Fighter Wing (9uncu Ana Jet Üssü) was founded as Turkeys first fighter wing in Balıkesir with the 191st, 192nd, and 193rd squadrons being the first established.
Upon Turkey's inclusion in NATO, the process of modernization was accelerated.
In 1962 the Taktik Hava Kuvveti (Tactical Air Force) was founded by upgrading the Hava Tümens (an air unit) to a corps-level organization.
In 1956 the Hava Eğitim Kolordu Komutanlığı (Air Education Corps Command) was founded and all education was united under this command. The command was renamed in Hava Eğitim Komutanlığı (Air Education Command) in 1957.
In 1974 the Air Force was employed in the Cyprus dispute.
With the receipt of 3rd generation jets in 1980, the Air Force was slightly reorganized. The Turkish Air Force was part of the UN peace mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, employing two squadrons (one in the Ghedi fighter wing and after 2000 one in the Aviano fighter wing). They returned to Turkey in 2001.
Structure
Turkish Air Force structure:
- Headquarters, Ankara
- *Air Force Staff Division Command
- **10th Tanker Base Command, İncirlik, Adana
- ***KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft
- **11th Air Transportation Main Base Command, Etimesgut, Ankara
- ***CASA CN-235(T),
- ***Cessna Citation VII,
- ***Cessna Citation II (CE-550),
- ***Gulfstream IV-SP,
- ***3 CASA CN-235 (T) ambulance aircraft
- **12th Air Transportation Main Base Command, Erkilet, Kayseri
- ***C-130 Hercules,
- ***C-160 Transall and
- ***CASA CN-235 (T) aircraft
- 1st Tactical Air Force Command, Eskisehir
- *1st Main Jet Base Group Command
- *4th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *6th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *9th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *15th Missile Base Group Command
- *1st Air Control Group Command
- 2nd Tactical Air Force Commands, Diyarbakir
- *5th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *7th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *8th Main Jet Base Group Command
- *2nd Air Control Group. Command
- Air Training Command, Gaziemir, Izmir
- * 2nd Main Jet Base Group Command
- *3rd Main Jet Base Group Command
- *Air Force Academy Command
- *Air Corps Schools and Technical Training Center Command
- *Air Language School and Airmen Training Brigade Command.
- Air Logistics Command, Etimesgut, Ankara
- *1st Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *2nd Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *3rd Air Supply and Maintenance Center Command
- *Air Museum Command
These commands consist of:
- 19 Combat squadrons,
- 1 Reconnaissance squadron,
- 6 Training squadrons,
- 6 Transportation squadrons,
- 1 Tanker squadron,
- 8 Surface-to-air missile (SAM) squadrons.
Main equipment
| Turkish Air Force | |
| Fighter aircraft | |
| 75 | F-16C/D Block 50 (Under CCIP modernization) |
| 103 | F-16C/D Block 40 (Under CCIP modernization) |
| 37 | F-16C/D Block 30 |
| 52 | F-4E 2020 Terminator |
| 71 | F-4E Phantom |
| 32 | RF-4E Phantom |
| 46 | F-5 2000 (under delivery) |
| 9 | (N)F-5A/B Freedom Fighter (Turkish Stars Air Acrobatic Team) |
| Air-to-air missiles | |
| 314 | AIM-120A/B AMRAAM (176 AIM-120A + 138 AIM-120B) |
| 367 | AIM-7E Sparrow |
| 127 | AIM-9X Sidewinder (Ordered) |
| 210 | AIM-9B Sidewinder |
| 500 | AIM-9M Sidewinder |
| 640 | AIM-9L/I Sidewinder |
| 310 | AIM-9S Sidewinder |
| 750+ | AIM-9P3 Sidewinder |
| Air-to-ground missiles | |
| 95 | AGM-88B HARM |
| 99 | AGM-142 Popeye I |
| 50 | AGM-84K SLAM-ER (Ordered) |
| 50 | AGM-154A-1 JSOW Block-II (Ordered) |
| 54 | AGM-154C JSOW-C / Broach (Ordered) |
| 274 | AGM-65G1 Maverick IIR |
| 550 | AGM-65A/B Maverick |
| 200 | GBU 8/B HOBOS |
| 1.200 | GBU 10/12 Paveway I-II |
| 523 | BLU 107 Durandal |
| n/a | AN/AVQ 23 Pave Spike (laser designation pod for F-4E) |
| 40 | AN/AAQ 14 LANTIRN |
| 40 | AN/AAQ 13 LANTIRN |
| 22 | Litening-III (20 optional) (ordered) |
| Anti-aircraft missiles | |
| 24 | I-Hawk XXI (HAWK-21) (1X3) launchers |
| 72 | MIM-14B Nike Hercules |
| 86 | Rapier FSB1 (85 launchers updated to Rapier B1X level. 840 additional Mk2B missiles under delivery) |
| ? | Zipkin KMS (1X4 FIM-92 mounted Stinger, 32 units under delivery) |
| 108 | FIM-92C Stinger RMP |
| Tactical transport aircraft | |
| 0 | A400M (10 ordered) |
| 7 | C-130E Hercules (to be upgraded) |
| 6 | C-130B Hercules (With ELINT/SIGINT equipment) |
| <16 | C-160T Transall |
| 50 | CN 235-100M (3 VIP/16 EW) |
| 7 | KC-135R-CRAG Stratotanker |
| Early warning aircraft | |
| 0 | B-737-700/MESA THEIK (4 ordered + 2 optional) |
| Helicopters | |
| 20 | AS 532UL Cougar Mk1 (14 SAR+6 CSAR) |
| 19 | Bell UH-1H Iroquois (15 SAR+4 EW) |
External links
- This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2004 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
- [Turkish Armed Forces Website]
- [Turkish Air Force Website]
- [Unofficial TuAF F-16 Fighting Falcon Base]
- [Unofficial TuAF "Turkish Air Force" Website]
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