39th ABW honors Turkish national for service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The music dims and the crowd goes silent as attendees of the 39th Air Base Wing 2014 Annual Awards focus their attention on one person -- Arzu Kaya.

Kaya, a realty clerk with the 425th Air Base Squadron in Izmir, Turkey, was presented the first-ever Halide Edip Adivar Award by Col. Mark Anarumo, 39th Air Base Wing vice commander, as part of the award ceremony Feb. 10.

The award was established to highlight Turkish nationals who display outstanding contributions to the 39th ABW and Turkey by exemplifying continuous dedication and service.

"It was imperative for us to create an award specifically to highlight our Turkish nationals," said Col Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "Halide Edip Adivar was an early leader in Turkish society, dedicated to promoting change and understanding within her culture. We want to acknowledge leaders like her whose efforts contribute to the wing's mission, while promoting mutual understanding between our U.S. and Turkish cultures. They should be recognized."

Halide Edip Adivar, a well-known Turkish writer and social activist, played an important role in educating the people of Turkey on gender equality and unity by depicting the clash between Eastern and Western culture. She also encouraged Turkish women to succeed in reaching their goals against strong opposition.

When asked why Kaya was nominated Lt. Col. John Thomas, 425th ABS commander, said its was due to her critical role to the U.S. mission.

"Ms. Arzu Kaya is an integral part of the Izmir community and an invaluable member of the 425th ABS and 39th ABW," Thomas said.  "Her accomplishments and dedication to our mission are difficult to capture, but I was proud to nominate her for this award and I am honored that she was chosen as the first recipient."

As the sole real estate member working for the Department of Defense in Turkey, Kaya is responsible for negotiating and managing all DOD real estate contracts in Incirlik, Izmir, Istanbul and Ankara. For the last 6 years Kaya has also fulfilled a supervisory role due to shortfall in manning within the 425th ABS.

According to Thomas, Kaya wants to embody what women of Turkey are.

"Arzu has consistently gone out of her way to represent the women of Turkey," Thomas said.  "She recently developed and hosted a 'Women of Islam' seminar open to over 400 DOD and NATO personnel; to better inform members of 26 nations about the struggles and accomplishments of women in Turkey."

The Halide Edip Adivar award is part of the 39th ABW celebrating 60 years of partnership with the Turkish Government and local national employees. Over the years, the 39th ABW will use the Halide Edip Adivar Award to highlight its Turkish members around the wing and members at its geographically separated units who are paramount in completing not only the wing's mission, but also the missions of the Turkish military and our NATO allies.