with continuously updated scenarios
and missions played out with modern
technology’.
Typical missions consisted of an attack
by the ‘Blue’ team in a combined air
operation (COMAO) against tactical and
strategic targets within the area controlled
by the ‘Red’ team, which was defended by
ghters and a ground-based air defense
(GBAD) systems.
A Command and Control Center
(CCC) acted as the nerve center for the
missions, collating information from
range data pods carried by the ghters
and also ground and airborne radar
systems to enable a real-time picture
of the operation. This is where it was
decided which targets were successfully
prosecuted and where air-to-air missile
‘shots’ were validated.
The main operating airspace went from
ground level up to 50,000ft with zero
ight restrictions — but importantly it waslocated almost adjacent to Konya, thus
minimizing transit time and maximizing
‘play’ time.The players
This year’s ‘Anatolian Eagle’ involved
participation from Italy, Jordan, NATO,
Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and the US,
making a total number of more than
450 foreign and around 600 Turkish
personnel. The home team consisted
of 34 aircraft, including six F-4E-2020s
assigned to 111 Filo ‘Panterler’ from
Eskişehir; F-16C/D Block 30s and 52+
from 113, 132 (‘Red Air’), 152 and 161
Filos, plus E-7T airborne early warning
and control aircraft, C-130B/Es, CN235s,
KC-135R tankers plus, signi cantly, one of
four THK C-160D Transalls from 221 Filo
at Keyseri that are equipped for signals
and communication intelligence (SIGINT/
COMINT) as well as imaging and radio
frequency jamming.This image: Pakistani JF-17
Thunders provided the exotic
element of this year’s event, coming
form the new No 28 ‘Phoenix’
Squadron. Giovanni Colla
Left: ‘Viper’ pilots chat
enthusiastically as they walk back
to ‘Anatolian Eagle’ headquarters.
Rich Cooper
Above left to right: Jets mass at the
end of runway (EOR) as the morning
combined air operation (COMAO)
gets under way. Rich Cooper
A very rare glimpse of one of the
THK’s four C-160D ELINT/COMINT
platforms as it gets airborne at
Konya. Rich Cooper
With the cavernous E-7T hangars in
the background, an F-16D launches
as an F-4E-2020 makes its way to
the runway. Rich CooperEXERCISE REPORT // ‘ANATOLIAN EAGLE’
40 September 2019 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
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