Turkey, US and NATO partners kicked off Anatolian Eagle 2015 aerial drill

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Turkey, US and NATO partners kicked off Anatolian Eagle 2015 aerial drill
 
Anatolian Eagle 15, a flying training exercise involving U.S. Air Forces in Europe units and multiple NATO partners, kicked off at the Konya Air Base, Turkey, June 8, announced the USAF. Anatolian Eagle is a bi-annual event with U.S. participation since 2001. This year, other participants along with the U.S. include units from Turkey, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Pakistan.
     
Anatolian Eagle 15, a flying training exercise involving U.S. Air Forces in Europe units and multiple NATO partners, kicked off at the Konya Air Base, Turkey, June 8, announced the USAF. Anatolian Eagle is a bi-annual event with U.S. participation since 2001. This year, other participants along with the U.S. include units from Turkey, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Pakistan. An F-15C Eagle from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, takes off as a Pakistan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis to the runway during Anatolian Eagle 15 at 3rd Main Jet Base, Turkey, June 8, 2015
(USAF)
     
During the two-week exercise, approximately 250 personnel and 12 F-15 aircraft from the USAF 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, are participating in training focused on exercising operational and logistical processes for U.S. air forces to deploy to, operate in and around, and to continue regular combined training to increase tactical interoperability between Turkish air forces, U.S. and NATO partners.

Lt. Col. John Stratton, USAF 493rd Fighter Squadron commander, said, "Anatolian Eagle is a great opportunity for our aircrews to hone their operational skills from a forward operating location."

He also highlighted how the exercise allows U.S. forces to bolster relationships and interoperability with our international partners.

"Through strengthened relationships and engagements with our allies, the U.S. and NATO demonstrate our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe," he said. "We represent America's forward presence, postured alongside our proven, indispensable allies."

The Pakistani Air Force sent some F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets from 9th 'Griffins' squadron from PAF base Mushaf.

Along with Azerbaijan, Brazil, Algeria, Denmark, Indonesia, Estonia, Morocco, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Chile, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Oman are also participating in the drills as observers.