Turkey units receive first unit designations

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe initiated the Turkey Catch Up plan to improve living conditions at bases across Turkey in the late 1970s. As a result, Incirlik received funding for seven morale, welfare and recreation-type construction projects (to read more about Incirlik history in the 1970s click here).

While military members and their families were reaping the benefits of MWR improvements, the mission focus remained steady as responsibilities continued to increase for Air Force personnel in Turkey.

In view of TUSLOG's increasing responsibilities, USAFE activated the 7217th Air Base Group in Ankara Nov. 15, 1982. The group was formed from the staff agencies of TUSLOG, which had local responsibilities while those handling matters throughout Turkey remained to constitute TUSLOG. The mission of the 7217th ABG was to provide logistical support for all U.S. units and agencies in central and northwest Turkey.

Furthermore, logistical responsibilities for the rest of the country were divided between the 39th Tactical Group at Incirlik, managing southern and eastern Turkey, and the 7241st ABG in Izmir, looking after western Turkey.

Effective Oct. 1, 1982, U.S. European Command removed the TUSLOG cover, used since May 1955, allowing the use of actual unit designations for those organizations located in Turkey. As a result, all U.S. units dropped their TUSLOG detachment numbers and took their normal designations.

In recognition of TUSLOG's growth and importance, it was raised to a division-level organization in September 1984 bringing the military population to more than 10,000 in 1985.

Because of its ever-expanding responsibilities, USAFE redesignated TUSLOG at Ankara as an air station in late October 1984.

(Editor's note: Over the next four months leading up to the Air Force's 60th birthday monumental milestones in Incirlik's history will be uncovered. You can read about Incirlik's coming of age during the last week each month either in the printed paper or online at www.incirlik.af.mil.)

(The 39th Air Base Wing history office contributed to this story)