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at [email protected]http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #361 APRIL 2018 // 33public relations effect on
the THK, whose reputation
was tarnished by the
involvement of some of
its units in the 2016
Turkish coup attempt.
In a press release, the
Turkish Armed Forces
declared the aims of the
operation: “To ensure
security and stability in our
borders and in the region...
in order to neutralise
terrorists belonging tothe PKK, KCK [Kurdistan
Communities Union],
PYD [Democratic Union
Party], YPG and IS and to
protect the friendly and
brotherly people of the
region from oppression
and persecution.”
The armed forces
stated that justification
for the operation was
based on the rights of
Turkey, as enshrined in
international law, and wasin accordance with United
Nations Security Council
(UNSC) resolutions against
terrorism, in particular 1624
(2005), 2170 (2014) and
2178 (2014). They also
noted that the campaign
was being conducted
within the framework of
self-defence outlined in
Article 51 of the Charter
of the United Nations
and respected Syria’s
territorial integrity.
The statement continued:
“Only the terrorists and
their shelters, armaments,
weapons, tools and
equipment are targeted in
the planning and execution
of the operations and all
kinds of attention and
sensitivity are shown to
prevent civilian/innocent
people from being harmed.”
In order to limit collateral
damage, the THK flew
precision air strikes. The
participating units included
F-16C/Ds of 181 Filo ‘Pars’
(Leopard) and 161 Filo
‘Yarasa’ (Bat) equipped
with LANTIRN targeting
pods, and F-16C/Ds of
132 Filo ‘Hançer’ (Dagger)
using GBU-12 laser-
guided bombs (LGBs). In
addition, F-4E 2020s of
111 Filo ‘Panter’ (Panther)
used Popeye air-to-surfacemissiles. Combat air
patrols were provided by
152 Filo ‘Ceylan’ (Gazelle),
192 Filo ‘Kaplan’ (Tiger) and
182 Filo ‘Atmaca’ (Hawk),
flying F-16C/Ds. Other
guided weapons used
included Tübitak SAGE’s
Hassas Güdüm Kiti (HGK,
Precision Guidance Kit)
and the same company’s
Nüfuz Edici Bomba (NEB,
Penetrator Bomb).
On the second day of
the operation, the THK
released footage of a
tunnel being destroyed
with a Popeye missile and
a weapon storage facility
hit with an LGB. That day,
32 aircraft were credited
with destroying 45 targets.
On January 24 another
27 aircraft were stated to
have destroyed 47 targets.
The Kara Kuvvetleri
Komutanlığı (Turkish Land
Forces) has also taken part
in Olive Branch, employing
T129 ATAK helicopters
armed with indigenous
Cirit laser-guided rockets.
On February 10, a T129
crashed with both crew
members being killed. The
helicopter was shot down
by YPG fighters, although
the Turkish military didn’t
initially announce the
cause of the crash.Operation Olive Branch
Above: Aerial operations over hostile
territory require a combat search and
rescue (CSAR) component to retrieve any
downed airmen. AS532AL 01-2523 is one
of 135 Filo’s dedicated CSAR helicopters.
Left: F-16C Block 40 92-0013 recovers to
base wearing the markings of 132 Filo
‘Hançer’. The unit has delivered precision
munitions during Olive Branch, but this
jet demonstrates an air-to-air load-out
as used for combat air patrols. All photos
Onur Kurç and Tayfun YaşarThe expected command
came at around 17.00hrs.
F-16C/Ds and F-4E 2020s
from various units took off
from air bases at Diyarbakır,
Adana and Malatya. A
total of 72 aircraft were
airborne simultaneously.
In addition to this strike
force, an E-7T Peace Eagle
airborne early warning and
control (AEW&C) aircraft
monitored the area over
the eastern Mediterranean.
KC-135R tankers maintained
orbits waiting to refuel the
THK assets involved.
On the ground, commandos
‘spiked’ targets using
Engerek laser designators. In
the air, indigenous Bayraktar
and Anka unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) both
reconnoitred and designated
enemy positions.THK resurgent
As well as claiming the
destruction of 108 targets
by the end of the first day,
the campaign seems to
have had an importantAbove: Turkish commandos demonstrate an Aselsan-made
laser target designator and target locator of the type used to
‘paint’ targets for airborne guided weapons.AFM