MWR facelift begins in late 1970s following DECA

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In response to changes in the international relations arena in mid 1975, Turkey announced that all U.S. bases would close and transfer control to the Turkish military. Only Incirlik and Izmir remained open due to their NATO mission while all non-NATO activities at the two locations ceased (click here to learn more about Incirlik's history in the early 1970s).

U.S. military assistance to Turkey was restored after three years in September 1978 when Congress lifted the arms embargo on Turkey. Shortly after, the restrictions placed on activities at Incirlik and Izmir were also lifted by Turkey and U.S. military operations at Sinop, Kargaburun, Belbasi and Pirinclik resumed.

On March 29, 1980, all operations in Turkey returned to normal when the U.S. and Turkey signed a Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement. The DECA provided the U.S. access to airfields and intelligence and communications facilities.

With the agreement in place, the U.S. Air Force was able to shift focus to concentrate on quality of life projects. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe began by initiating the Turkey Catch Up plan to improve living conditions at bases across Turkey. As a result, Incirlik received funding for seven morale, welfare and recreation-type construction projects.
The below insert was published in the April 6, 1979, edition of Incirlik's base newspaper, the Looking Glass:
By Airman First Class Mark Hess

The Air Force Welfare Board and USAFE Command Non-appropriated Fund Council have approved funding for seven major construction projects here, it was announced early this week.

Immediate funding for the construction of facilities included a Child Care Center, an addition to the Arts and Crafts Center, an AYA Center addition, construction of two handball courts, upgrading Outdoor Recreation facilities, add to or alter the Recreation Center, and the building of an addition to the Auto Hobby Shop.

Det. 193 Commander Col. Bobby J. Martin explained the reason for the improvement funds. "When the embargo against Turkey was imposed, all major construction was halted. As a result, Incirlik soon outgrew its existing facilities."

"USAFE Commander in Chief, Gen. John W. Pauly and Vice Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin N. Bellis recognized the need for new improved facilities and established a survey team to determine the MWR construction needs of all the bases and sites in Turkey. That team came here last December."

During the time of the survey, the team took into consideration the state of present facilities and the current and future needs of the bases.

The survey information was presented to the Air Force Welfare Board and USAFE Command NAF Council with recommendations for action. This plan is termed the Turkey Catch Up Program.

"Now that funding is approved, all that remains is the programming of project plans, design of actual facilities and additions and hiring a contractor," Colonel Martin stated.

Some of the approved construction will take less time to actually break ground. "The Child Care Center had plans drawn up in 1974," explained Colonel Martin. "These plans will be reviewed and updated. This will cut out a lot of the time required in the design stage of the project.

Other funded construction projects will take more time, since programming justification, design and contracting for each facility can vary.

(Editor's note: Over the five 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)