WASHINGTON
A senior U.S. military officer has said the use of Incirlik base in Turkey for U.S.-led coalition's air operations against Daesh in northern Syria and Iraq is "already proving to be a great effects multiplier on the battlefield".
Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR), told reporters Friday that the location of Incirlik was "fantastic and strategic" for coalition forces to hit Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.
Incirlik - an air base located close to Turkey’s border with war-torn Syria - opened last month to U.S. forces after an agreement with the Turkish government for expanded operations against Daesh.
Saying that F-16 fighter jets were flying regularly from Incirlik base in Turkey to support the U.S. led coalition's anti-Daesh efforts in Syria and Iraq, Killea said that the armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft, strike fighters and aerial refueling tankers originating from Turkey had combined to produce devastating results against Daesh targets.
Turkey first declared it would open Incirlik, in southern Adana province for coalition aircraft on July 24.
Eight U.S. military aircraft - included six F-16 fighter jets - and 300 accompanying personnel had arrived at Incirlik on August 9.
On August 12, the U.S. had launched its first manned airstrikes against Daesh targets from the Incirlik, according to CENTCOM.
Since then, operations from Incirlik continue to hit Daesh targets in Syria and Iraq.
