Key Highlights
- US air force has deployed six F-16 fighter jets in a military base in Turkey to fight ISIL terrorists group in Syria.
- US mission to NATO confirmed that the F-16 fighting falcons have been deployed to Incirlik Airbase in Turkey to support fight against ISIL.
- The fighter jets to be accompanied by crew of at least 300 airmen from 31st Fighter wing United States Air Force.
- The F-16 warplanes were reportedly stationed at Aviano Air base in Italy landed in Turkey’ Incirlik Air Base on Sunday afternoon.
- Turkey decided to host the deployment of US warplanes conducting counter ISIL operations.
Analysis
The Incirlik air base in Turkey is strategic as it will put the US forces only 30 minutes away from ISIL targets inside Syrian territories.
US expected to send search and rescue team of Elite Air Force Para-Rescuemen. Their helicopters expected to be heading to Turkey shortly after the jets are deployed.
Pentagon also to send refueling planes, such as the KC-135, which will increase the combat range for the F-16 fighters by allowing them to carry out prolonged flights over Syria.
August 3rd, 2015; Pentagon through its spokesman, Capt. Jeff Davis, announced the first armed drone missions from Turkish Incirlik Air Base in the past weekend.
Last week, Turkey agreed to allow the US to perform manned flights from Incirlik and other air bases on its soil.
Summary
As the fight against ISIL intensifies, US is seen to be on the forefront on campaigns against the ISIL militants.
Despite Washington assuring of the absent of bad blood between the current Syrian regime and them they sharply maintained that it doesn’t translate to be allies in the fight against Islamic State.
This is the first time US aircraft are stationed in Incirlik air base. United States had pushed Turkey before to allow them use its air base for military operations. Recently Turkey allowed US to carryout cargo and surveillance missions in their operations.
Turkey’s cooperation in the fight against IS has been viewed as a bold step towards the defeat of IS militant group.
