US withdraws F-15 Eagles from Turkey’s İncirlik base

ANKARA

DHA photo

The United States has withdrawn its F-15 warplanes deployed to the İncirlik air base in southern Turkey, the EUCOM has said in a written statement. 

“The Air Force F-15 Eagles and Strike Eagles deployed to İncirlik … are returning to RAF Lakenheath, U.K., beginning Dec. 16,” read a written statement issued on Dec 16. 

“The six F-15Cs arrived Nov. 6 and conducted training and operational missions supporting Turkish allies and their sovereign airspace. The six F-15Es followed on Nov. 12 to conduct counter-ISIL operations in Syria and Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. U.S. Air Force A-10s, remotely piloted aircraft and other Coalition aircraft will remain at İncirlik conducting counter-ISIL missions,” it added.

İncirlik is one of the key bases used by the U.S. air force and its coalition allies in the campaign targeting ISIL across the border in Syria and Iraq.