NATO and Sheppard AFB - The Turks are pulling out - Curt Lewis

Turkish air force pulls student, instructor pilots from ENJJPT


The Turkish air force will not participate in pilot training in Sheppard Air Force Base's Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, a base official confirmed.

George Woodward, base public affairs director, said the NATO ally will not send student and instructor pilots during this fiscal year. He didn't indicate why Turkish leadership made the decision, but other countries participating in the program in recent years have done the same thing.

"Turkey, which has been a partner nation since 1981, has decided to adjust its level of participation in the program for fiscal year 2017, and will not send any students or instructor pilots to ENJJPT," he said. "This is not unusual for the program; in fact, it mirrors the current level of involvement of other partner nations, including the United Kingdom and Portugal."

Woodward said the partner will continue to participate in the decision-making process as a member of the ENJJPT steering committee. They could return to the program at the 80th Flying Training Wing as early as Fiscal Year 2018.

While a reason for decision wasn't made known, the Turkish government was in turmoil earlier this year when a military coup attempt on July 15 was put down. A group called the Peace at Home Council, made up of members of the Turkish Armed Forces, sought to capture important cities such as Istanbul and Ankara.

Video footage from international media showed military tanks rolling through streets and aircraft flying over Ankara, as reported at the time.

The coup attempt was defeated relatively quickly, ending with more than 300 killed and another 2,100 wounded.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an Aug. 10 statement condemned the attempted coup and voiced the Alliance's continued support of its government.

"Turkey is a valued Ally, making substantial contributions to NATO's joint efforts. Turkey takes full part in the Alliance's consensus-based decisions as we confront the biggest security challenges in a generation. Turkey's NATO membership is not in question," he said. "Our Alliance is committed to collective defence and founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty, human rights and the rule of law. NATO counts on the continued contributions of Turkey and Turkey can count on the solidarity and support of NATO."