DECA team arrives at the “Lik”

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement team is arriving Nov. 28 and is conducting their 27th annual visit through Dec. 1.

The annual visit doesn't assess a pass or fail grade, but rather serves to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Turkey and the United States. This agreement, established in 1980, sets some operating rules for the bilateral relationship.

"The team's focus is to observe our wonderful agreement in action," said Mehmet Birbiri, 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs host nation adviser and translator during the DECA visit. "They ensure that, as allies, we are operating smoothly within the framework of the DECA agreement."

In the past year, with the collective efforts of the 39th Air Base Wing and 10th Tanker Base Command, the base has seen some improvements.

"During this past year, we have continued to improve on our already good relationship with our 10th Tanker Command hosts," said Lt. Col. Jefferson Brown, 39th Air Base Wing staff judge advocate and DECA project officer. "We are excited to have our strong working relationship showcased during the DECA visit and to build on the successful relationship the two sides have enjoyed for more than 50 years. It is truly a team effort between the United States and Turkey."

During their stay, the DECA team will visit Incirlik, as well as three of the geographically separated units first-hand.

The team is comprised of representatives from the Turkish General Staff; Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Labor, and Environment and Customs; the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation and the U.S. Embassy.

The DECA team focuses on six major areas: leadership, customs, labor, security and law enforcement, construction and environment, and communications.

"The ultimate goal of the DECA visit is to build on more than 50 years of bilateral partnership at Incirlik to achieve mission success," said Col. Philip McDaniel, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "It also helps keep lines of communication open while offering an opportunity to expand relationships and enhance existing friendships."

Once the visit is complete, the DECA team produces a written report. Although some opportunities for improvement highlighted in the report can be addressed at base-level, others may require policy-level changes.

"Brigadier General M.Yilmaz Erdogan [10th Tanker Base Command commander] and I are committed to working together to resolve any challenges," Colonel McDaniel said. "The DECA is a framework upon which we operate together on Incirlik AB."

As the U.S. Air Force and Turkish Air Force continue to work jointly to ensure freedom's future, the days ahead look bright for the interoperability of both air forces.

"As we head into the New Year, DECA's written report will help us identify challenges," said Colonel McDaniel. "Turkey has been an ally for many years and the DECA process is an excellent way to manage our association as we both work to meet the demands of today's war on terror."