nternational participation
in Anatolian Eagle was
suspended after the
dramatic reorganisation of the Türk
Hava Kuvvetleri (THK, Turkish Air
Force) following a coup attempt
in the country on July 15, 2016.
Since then it has only been
a national exercise, featuring
THK squadrons. However, a
multinational Anatolian Eagle was
run again from June 17-28 this
year, hosted as previously by the
3’ncü Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı (3rd
Main Jet Base Command) at Konya
air base. More than 600 Turkish
(air force and navy) plus 450
international personnel took part.
Beginning in the early 1980s,
the THK made concerted efforts
to improve its infrastructure,
modernise its equipment andreturn to Konya
I
Above: Among a strong Turkish Phantom contingent was this specially marked F-4E-2020,
clutching a Pave Spike electro-optical laser designator pod under the forward fuselage. Serial 77-0296
was adorned with special tail art to mark 60 years of the F-4 last year. Below: The fl agship of the 494th Fighter
Squadron ‘Panthers’, F-15E 91-0314 ‘LN/494 FS’ taxies at Konya with an ACMI pod under the starboard wing. This
was one of six Lakenheath Strike Eagles involved in the manoeuvres. Bottom: JF-17 Block I serial 13-144 wearing the
phoenix markings of the Pakistan Air Force’s 28 Squadron. This unit serves at PAF Base Quetta, where it’s part of
Southern Air Command’s 31 (Fighter) Wing. All photos Cem Doğut and Özkan Üner unless statedEagles
36 // September 2019 #378 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comExercise
Report Anatolian Eagle 2019
36-39 Eagles AFM Sep2019.indd 36 8/5/2019 11:54:34 AM