Keeping falcons in flight: Incirlik supports OIR mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Following Turkey's decision to host the deployment of U.S. aircraft conducting counter-ISIL operations, the 39th Air Base Wing received six F-16 Fighting Falcons, support equipment and approximately 300 personnel in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Aug. 11, here.

The recent reception of OIR forces is the first major deployment to the 39th ABW since Operation Northern Watch, which enforced the no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel in Iraq.  ONW ended on March 17, 2003 and marked the end of Turkey-based U.S. combat operations until recent deployments.

According to Col. John Walker, 39th ABW commander, the base has been preparing for a mission like OIR ever since the end of ONW.

"Incirlik's strategic location cannot be overstated, and that is a primary reason for one of our top priorities:  to stand ready to accept and employ forces if we are ordered to do so," Walker said. "Let there be no doubt, we are forward, ready, now at Incirlik Air Base!  And we are living that mantra day-in and day-out as we team with our Turkish Air Force allies to conduct OIR combat operations. "

Since the 39th ABW already had an infrastructure in place to house an influx of personnel, the wing focused solely on the needs of the deployers to include access to communication and equipment, dining facilities and any other requirements the unit might need while at Incirlik AB.

"The Airmen of the Mission Support Group have been extremely busy providing 24/7 hour support to receiving and bedding down forces," said Col. Russell Voce, 39th MSG commander. "Our goal is to make Incirlik the best base they have ever deployed to and to ensure their focus is on mission generation by providing the best support possible".

Walker also stated that a large part of the 39th ABW accomplishing the mission is due to the coordination and help from its Turkish counterparts.

"It's really exciting times right now, because the government of Turkey and the government of the United States are working very closely to counter this common threat. And that translates in to the missions that we're flying today, and the increased cooperation that we're seeing here at the base-level."

Walker also stated that Incirlik's Airmen are showing the world what they are trained to do.

"All the training you always do at a base never happens at a base, it always happens at a forward and deployed location," Walker said. "We are in a very strategic and forward location that made Incirlik the prime location to send forces. This is the best time to be here, when everything comes together to support the mission."