Jet Blast Area - Anatolian Eagle 2023

From May 1st to May 12th, 2023, the Turkish Air Force hosted the multi-national exercise Anatolian Eagle 2023-2 at 3rd Main Jet Base, Konya. The main goal of the exercise was to provide realistic training combat training opportunities in a high-threat environment. Traditionally, many interesting allies are invited and take part to the sessions. 2023 was no exception to this rule.

Anatolian Eagle History

Any person that is interested in military aviation knows the famous Red Flag training center and its exercises taking place in Nellis Air Force Base throughout the years. With the modernization of military equipment, infrastructures, and training, the Turkish Air Force realized, as early as in the 1980's, that "no matter how modern the weapons are, it is men who use it". After the Bosnia and Kosovo wars during the 1990's, the TuAF decided that it needed it had reached a performance level that allowed it to host other air forces to provide training to them.

In 1997, the Turkish Air Force participated to a Red Flag session for the first time with a deployment of 6x F-16 aircraft to the United States. Later on, with the participation of Turkish and American squadrons in İncirlik, firstly on 02-15 May 1998 and secondly on 21 September – 02 October 1998, the Red Flag-like Anatolian Flag (AF) trainings were performed. From 2000, preparations for Anatolian Eagle's first training edition started.

In June 2001, the construction of the Operation Center, White-Red-Blue HQs, ACMI and other infrastructures was completed in 3rd Main Jet Base, Konya. The week after, Anatolian Eagle-01 took place with the participation of Turkish, USA and Israel Air Forces.

In 2008, the Eagles parking and maintenance facility was completed, allowing the deployment of a great number of fighter jets with adapted infrastructures. Since then, many Anatolian Eagle exercises were held at the base, with a total of 15 countries taking part in total, with the addition of NATO itself. AE 2023-2 was the 49th training session for AETC.

Other trainings are organized in Konya with less participants and often bi-lateral. Anatolian Phoenix is an example of that, with this exercise taking place every year, involving helicopters from various countries such as Qatar, Azerbaijan, Spain, USA and more. Anatolian Falcon was also a bi-lateral exercise held with USA.

Anatolian Eagle Trainings

Anatolian Eagle focuses on air operations and enhancing interoperability among participating air forces. It involves a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, attack aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and air defense systems. This diverse mix of assets allows participants to practice integrated and joint operations, simulating realistic combat scenarios. The goal is to improve tactical skills, operational capabilities, and coordination among participants.

Anatolian Eagle Trainings consists of three main elements:

- The White Headquarters, sort of the brain of AE in which the AE crew works, is the center building in which the trainings are planned and the statistical studies are carried out.

- The Blue Force consists of the training audience, composed of international and national assets. Their goal is to plan and execute a valid game plan with 100% kill, and most important, to survive. The plan is to penetrate the ficionnal red land and attack strategic targets. For that, they are helped by a "Magic Redeye" (also called "Wiseman") in the form of an AEW&C aircraft (mostly NATO E-3A AWACS or Turkish Air Force E-7T Wedgetail), providing good initial picture and assisting the blue fighters.

- The Red Force provides training aid for the participants. Their goal is to defend the red land by acting as "aggressors". Usually fewer than the blue team, they are played by TuAF F-16s from the 132 Filo. GCI support is given to them by land radar located on base. Both teams have air to air refueling available thanks to Turkish Air Force tankers.

The missions conducted during Anatolian Eagle incorporate elements of air superiority, where fighter aircraft engage in dogfights and simulate air-to-air combat. Pilots are tested on their ability to maneuver, employ air-to-air weapons, and employ tactics such as formation flying, dissimilar aircraft integration, and electronic warfare.

Another key aspect of Anatolian Eagle is the focus on air-to-ground operations. Participants engage in simulated strikes against ground targets, including fixed infrastructure, simulated enemy positions, and other high-value targets. These missions test the pilots' precision and coordination in employing air-to-ground weapons, such as precision-guided munitions and air-launched cruise missiles.

Close air support (CAS) missions are also an integral part of Anatolian Eagle. These missions involve coordination between air assets and ground forces to provide air support to friendly ground units. Pilots practice communication and collaboration with forward air controllers (FACs) to deliver accurate and timely air support, responding to dynamic battlefield situations.

Throughout the two-weeks exercise, participants learn valuable lessons, refine their tactics, and improve their operational effectiveness. The exchange of experiences and best practices among different air forces enhances mutual understanding, fosters interoperability, and strengthens regional security cooperation.

Anatolian Eagle: You come as a bird, you leave as an eagle.

Anatolian Eagle 2023-2

Anatolian Eagle 2023 training took place in May 2023, instead of the usual June edition. The two weeks exercise consisted in 2 daily flights, with usually a COMAO (COMposite Air Operation) and a non-COMAO mission everyday. Every nation participated to the COMAO flights. This edition saw a lot of countries sending their aircraft, all of them having already participated to previous Anatolian Eagle sessions.

The 2023 foreign assets consisted of:

- x2 Azerbaijan Air F0rce (AZAF) Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot. This was the 3rd participation of this country to the exercise, and they are regular visitors to Konya, with various bilateral trainings organized throughout the years between AZAF and the Turkish Air Force. Notably, an additional Su-25 was present in Konya during AE 2023, and conducted some test flights with a Turkish F-16. It appeared during a Spotter Day with a pair of Wing Assisted Guidance Kit, probably being tested.

- x5 Pakistan Air Force F-16C/D Block 52+ from No. 5 Squadron "Falcons". Also regular visitors, the pakistanis are sending aircraft from different squadrons every year, with different aircraft types.

- x5 Qatar Emiri Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon from the 12 Squadron Al Dhariyat ("The winnowing Winds"). Delivered less than a year before the exercise, it was logically the first participation of Qatari Typhoons to Anatolian Eagle, although the air force is a regular participant: Mirage 2000 and Rafale had participated in previous editions.

- x4 Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon. They operated from Cyprus during the two weeks. Two examples paid a visit for the week-end and left during the media day on the monday of Week 2.

- x5 United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16E/F Desert Falcon from the Shaheen Squadron based in Al Dhafra AFB. Although not their first participation, the UAE had not made any appearance to an Anatolian Eagle session in 10 years. They could be seen with various armaments, such as AGM-65 Maverick or AGM-88 HARM.

- x1 NATO E-3A AWACS. These are participating every year to the exercise and are based on site (contrary to other exercises where they operate from their own base).

Turkish Air Force assets consisted in:

- x24 F-16C/D from 113, 151, 152, 161, 181, 191 Filos, playing the Blue Force team.

- x4 F-4E 2020 Phantom aircraft from the 111 Filo Panters. They were originally not planned to take part to the exercise, but due to the cancellation of RSAF F-15s, they played the air-to-ground attack role for AE2023-2.

- x10 F-16C/D from the 132 Filo Daggers based in Konya, and playing the role of aggressors in the red team.

- x1 E-7T Wedgetail from the 131 Filo based in Konya.

- x1 KC-135, x1 ANKA-S, x1 AKINCI which operated from other air bases.

UAE crew and his F-16E Desert Falcon

Pakistan Air Force crews preparing for a mission

Turkish Air Force F-16C taking-off

Turkish Air Force F-4E Phantom taking-off

Anatolian Eagle 2023 Media Day & Spotter Days

Every edition of the exercise has at least one day that offers the opportunity for photographers and journalists to enter the base and take pictures of the aircraft and crews that participate. This year there was a Media Day on Monday, May 8th and two Spotter Days on Tuesday and Wednesday May 9th and 10th. We had accreditation to visit the base on all 3 days.

Monday, May 8th - Media Day

On the first day we were welcomed by Maj. Emrah AKBAY who was the point of contact for photographers, and one of the organizers of the Media & Spotter Days. He greeted us and gave us a speech in the AETC Briefing Room. He then introduced Lt.Col. Hakan GIRGIN, AETC Commander, who gave further explanation on the purpose of the training center, the exercise itself, its history and its missions. After this 30-minutes briefing, we were taken to the Eagles Flightline where all aircraft participating to the morning COMAO were already starting up and finalizing ground checks. We could already take some very interesting pictures with the crews and the aircraft. We were then taken to the famous spot for face-to-face shots of fighters taxiing for departure. Freedom was given to choose the best angle for every photographer. It was also possible to go near the runway for take-offs. At every other event that we took part to, a limit was given to get close to the runway, yet not too close. It was not the case in Konya that day, and we could get as close to the runway as we wanted during departures, allowing some incredibly dynamic shots. This particular opportunity will probably not be beaten any time soon.

At lunch time, we were taken to the Anatolian Eagle Dining Hall and could enjoy a very nice lunch offered by the Turkish Air Force. After a group picture in front of the AETC, photographers were able to get some close up looks at the participating aircraft at the Eagles Parking. In the afternoon, a few aircraft conducted a mission, so we could get some more action. The day ended well with the possibility to get close-up shots of the F-4s in a nice afternoon light.

Tuesday, May 9th - Spotter Day #1

The next day more photographers were present at the base, for the first of two spotter days. During the wait at main gate, an unidentified F-16 took-off. We were taken to the same spot as the previous day for morning taxis and take-offs. A while after, the F-16 landed back and was found to be the testbed for the Özgür project, which is a modernization program of the TurAF F-16C Block 30 aircraft. With its pixel livery, the F-16 was one of the highlights of the day, and a very unexpected catch. The morning wave was very interesting and spotters enjoyed a lot of action. The Solo Türk gave a very nice show during the wait, above the crowd. During the return of the aircraft from their mission, the 132 Filo performed an interesting 8-ship break arrival, followed after landing, by an elephant walk in front of the spotters.

For the afternoon flights, we were taken to the other side of the runways. The good thing was that the runway in use changed from 01R to 01L so that spotters could get the best shots. We enjoyed a lot of action, as well as another show from the Solo Türk, this time with the spare aircraft. The highlight of the afternoon was the two formation flypasts with most of the assets taking part to the exercise, accompanied by the Turkish Stars flying with F-5 Tiger aircraft.

Wednesday, May 10th - Spotter Day #2

The last day of our visit to Konya was also the last public day of the exercise. The weather was less sunny but a lot of flying took place. The Solo Türk made a demo in the morning, and in the afternoon the Turkish Stars performed their full program. A pair of Casa CN-235 and a lot of action were the perfect way to end this trip to Türkiye.

I would like to thank the Turkish PAO and the entire Turkish Air Force for this truly interesting opportunity. Thanks to Maj. AKBAY for his availability and his explanations.