The 425th Air Base Squadron is a Geographically Separated Unit of the 39th Air Base Wing, located at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye.
Mission
The 425th ABS serves as the administrative agent and provides essential mission support to the NATO Allied Land Command Headquarters, along with five other associate units operating in Izmir and Istanbul, Türkiye. The squadron also manages the annual $1‑million Çiğli Air Base Turnover Agreement between the United States and Türkiye. Finally, the 425th ABS is poised to support the 39th ABW’s mission.
Organization
The 425th ABS is made up of 12 operational sections:
- Airlift
- Communications
- Contracting
- Financial Management
- Logistics
- Medical
- Personnel
- Plans and Programs
- Postal
- Security Forces
- Services
- Supply
In addition, the squadron includes 4 staff functions:
- Chapel
- Legal
- Host Nation Advising & Public Affairs
- Military and Family Readiness Center
Many squadron functions, including Civil Engineering, Safety, Traffic Management, Housing, and Vehicle Operations, are carried out by contractors.
The squadron performs all the duties typically handled at a wing level with essential integration across the 39 ABW, ensuring seamless support across all areas.
History
The unit was activated in Izmir as the 7266th Support Squadron Nov. 15, 1955, to support Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe and Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force. Prior to this, support for these NATO headquarters came from the U.S. Sixth Fleet.
July 1, 1959, most of the 7266th moved to Çiğli Air Base, 15 miles north of Izmir, where, July 5, 1962, it merged with U.S. Air Forces in Europe's 7231st Combat Support Group. April 1, 1966, the 7231st CSG became the 41st Tactical Group.
U.S. facilities at Çiğli AB were turned over to the Turkish Air Force July 1, 1970. At that time the 41st TG was inactivated and the 41st Combat Support Squadron at Çiğli was renamed the 7241st Support Squadron and moved into downtown Izmir.
In 1970, the unit was briefly moved from Headquarters Türkiye and U.S. Logistics Group and assigned to the 39th Tactical Group, Incirlik AB, and later that year to 16th Air Force before returning to Headquarters TUSLOG again in December 1971.
Jan. 1, 1973, the 7241st was changed to an air base squadron until August 1980 when it was re-designated as an Air Base Group.
June 15, 1993, the unit was changed to an Air Base Squadron again and renamed the 741st Air Base Squadron.
The unit was renamed the 425th Air Base Squadron Nov. 1, 1994. The re-designation as the 425th ABG took place Oct. 4, 2005.
The most recent change came July 1, 2009, when the group was renamed the 425th Air Base Squadron. The squadron presently operates both at Çiğli AB and NATO LANDCOM at General Vecihi Akın Garrison.
Strategic Importance and Location
Türkiye is a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Türkiye's geographic position places it and Izmir Air Station on the strategically vital southeastern flank of NATO.
General Vecihi Akın Garrison
Located in Şirinyer, Izmir, General Vecihi Akın Garrison is the home of NATO Headquarters Allied Land Command Izmir. The garrison was known as Şirinyer Garrison until March 1996.
It is of significant historic interest, dating back to the late 1800s, when Canadians Dr. and Mrs. Alexander MacLachlan established a Christian training school there. The MacLachlans founded a foreign school for Greeks, Armenians, Jews and other nationalities in what was called the American Boys School in 1891.
Through the generosity of a wealthy Izmir businessman, Dr. MacLachlan acquired the lands which now comprise Akın Garrison. The school's name evolved as the American High School for boys and was later renamed the American Collegiate Institute, eventually gaining worldwide accreditation.
In 1934, the school was transferred to Beirut. From that point until 1953, the garrison was used by the Turkish Ministry of Education as a teacher training school.
(Current as of Feb. 26, 2026)