Personnel from RAF No 11 Group, Joint Force Air Component, have deployed to Türkiye on Exercise Volkan, to assist with preparations for taking on the NATO Response Force commitment.
The exercise, held in Eskişehir, saw the UK personnel deploy to support the Turkish Joint Force Air Component's training as they work up to hold this NATO commitment in 2025. This exercise, the second such training activity, was designed to test the Turkish Joint Force Air Component's ability to conduct operational planning and deliver complex joint operations in challenging scenarios.
The RAF is grateful to the Turkish Air Force for the opportunity to support their training pathway to the NATO Response Force commitment in 2025. This is a demonstration of the UK’s longstanding relationship with Türkiye and our shared commitment to NATO.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston
Chief of the Air Staff
This exercise was the latest bilateral training opportunity between the two air forces this year, that has also seen air-to-air training serials during the RAF‘s NATO Air Policing mission in the summer and also RAF Typhoons deploying to the Turkish Konya Air Base, to take part in Exercise Anatolian Eagle.
The No 11 Group Joint Force Air Component personnel that deployed on the exercise included specialists in Air Operations, Logistics, Communications and Intelligence. This allowed these personnel to share best practice and knowledge with their Turkish counterparts, whilst also gaining understanding of Turkish procedures.
Wing Commander Norton, the Naval and Air Attaché, based at the British Embassy in Ankara, visited the exercise.
I was delighted to be able to visit Exercise Volkan and observe UK Turkish Joint Force Air Component personnel working closely with the Turkish Joint Force Air Component. Training with Allies like this enables everyone to learn from each other and is a great opportunity to share experience.
Wing Commander Norton
Naval and Air Attaché
Brigadier General Turan, the Turkish Joint Force Air Component Commander, during an exchange of gifts between the RAF personnel and the Turkish Air Force, expressed his thanks to deployed UK Turkish Joint Force Air Component personnel and highlighted the valuable role of they had played throughout the exercise.
