UAVs were used for the first time in a bombardment mission in the 'International Anatolian Eagle' Exercise

The Air Forces Command has been organizing the International Anatolian Eagle Training Exercise at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya since 2001. The exercise started on June 23 of this year and will end on July 4. The US, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and NATO AWACS and Turkish Naval and Air Forces Command elements participated in the exercise hosted by Türkiye, while Bulgaria, Brazil, Malaysia, Mali and Nigeria participated in observer status. The Turkish Air Forces Command participated in the training with F-16, KC-135R, E-7T HİK, ANKA-S, Akıncı UAV, F-4E/2020, CN-235 aircraft, while the Naval Forces Command accompanied with three frigates. The USA took part in the exercise with 12 F-16s, Azerbaijan with 2 SU-25s, Qatar with 3 Eurofighters, Hungary with 3 JAS-39s, Saudi Arabia with 6 F-15s, Jordan with 3 F-16s, and NATO with 1 E-3A Awacs aircraft.

ONE OF 3 TACTICAL TRAINING CENTERS

Anatolian Eagle Training; In order to increase the operational training levels of pilots, air defense and control warning specialist personnel in an operational environment simulated to a real operation, to test and develop joint and combined operational methods, to minimize losses under real operational conditions and to maximize mission effectiveness; a training conducted annually nationally and/or internationally at the Anatolian Eagle Training Center Fleet Command. Anatolian Eagle Training Center is one of the 3 tactical training centers with similar facilities in the world and the only tactical training center in Europe. The training is conducted in the region covering the Salt Lake and its surroundings in an area of ​​300x400 square kilometers. Since its establishment, Anatolian Eagle Training Center has implemented a total of 54 training periods, 27 of which were international and 27 of which were national, with the participation of 16 countries, and approximately 27 thousand sortie flights have been conducted.

NEW TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES ARE BEING TESTED

The aim of the training is to develop the capabilities and possibilities of national and foreign elements to conduct joint operations during the day and to increase mutual support between forces, to increase the training level of participants by ensuring the planning and execution of mixed air operation missions against tactical and strategic targets protected by fighter jets and air defense weapon systems deployed on the surface (on land and sea) in a realistic operational environment, and to provide the opportunity to try new tactics and techniques.

MAJOR GENERAL KUŞ SPOKE ABOUT THE EXERCISES

The 3rd Main Jet Base Command was opened to members of the press today. 3rd Main Jet Base Commander Air Pilot Major General Mete Kuş stated that unmanned aerial vehicles were used for bombardment missions for the first time in this exercise. Describing the exercise, Mete Kuş said the following:

"The pilots were shown how to plan preventive air operations, rules of engagement and deterrence techniques to prevent the country from being raided before the conflict started. This is one of the most advanced preparation models for peacekeeping. The second is cruise missile prevention training. In the Anatolian Eagle training, for the first time, the blue forces conducted a scenario-based prevention and destruction operation against numerous cruise missile threats that were simulated to have been launched by forces in the red country role. With this scenario, the joint reflex capabilities of the Turkish Air Force and allied elements were tested against asymmetric missile attacks that are likely to be encountered in modern warfare environments. Third, unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the bombardment role. For the first time, UAVs directly served in the bombardment role in an international training conducted within the scope of conventional operations. More importantly; manned fighter jets performed the protection and escort missions of the AKINCI, AKINCI-S and ANKA3 UAVs developed by the Turkish defense industry in the bombardment mission. This scenario is one of the most advanced examples of manned and unmanned system integration. "It has demonstrated the technology-based transformation capacity of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish defense industry. These developments are not just training, but a reflection of an air force prepared for the future's operational environment."

DHA

Reporter: News Center