Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor and Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense (MSB), spoke at the weekly press briefing held at the 2nd Main Jet Base Command in Çiğli, İzmir, on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of the Air Force. Aktürk celebrated the anniversary of the Air Force, the steel wings of the Turkish Armed Forces in the sky. Stating that the Turkish Air Force continues to be the shield of our skies with its high operational capability, qualified personnel, modern platforms, and advanced technology opportunities provided by the domestic and national defense industry, Aktürk said, "At our 2nd Main Jet Base Command located in Çiğli, which plays a critical role in training the qualified human resources that form the basis of our air power, a Youth and Aviation Festival will be held on June 6-7 as part of the anniversary of our Air Force." Aktürk emphasized that the event aims to provide participants with a close look at the current state of Turkish aviation, increase young people's interest in aviation and space fields, and promote the capabilities and opportunities of the domestic and national defense industry and the Turkish Air Force. Providing information about the festival, Aktürk said:
"The festival, open to the participation of our students with their families, will include air, parachute, and paramotor shows, personnel rescue drills, static aircraft exhibitions, simulator experience areas, encouraging flight activities, concerts, and various cultural events, with demonstration flights by the Turkish Stars and SOLOTÜRK."
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continue their fight against terrorism, border protection, and ensuring Turkey's defense and security on land, sea, and air with determination and decisiveness. Providing information on counter-terrorism and border security, Aktürk said:
"In the last two weeks, 6 more PKK terrorists have surrendered, 698 individuals, including 7 members of terrorist organizations, attempting to cross our borders illegally have been caught, and 4,219 individuals have been prevented from crossing the border. Thus, since January 1, the number of surrendered terrorists has reached 99, the number of those caught trying to cross our borders illegally is 3,860, and the number of prevented individuals is 34,389. Additionally, 79 kilograms of narcotics were seized during search and sweep operations on the Van border line in the last two weeks."
Aktürk said that within the scope of bilateral relations and international missions, the Turkish Armed Forces, actively operating in a wide geography, continue to make strong and sustainable contributions to regional and global peace, security, and stability. Aktürk provided information that the 6th Maritime Security Conference will be held in Istanbul on June 9-10 by the Maritime Security Excellence Center Command, stating:
"The third NATO EDGE 2026, organized under the responsibility of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) with the participation of NATO organizations and companies operating in the field of Communication Electronics and Information Systems (MEBS), will be held at the İzmir EXPO Fairground between November 17-19. This activity will enable the international promotion of the high technology level and advanced capabilities achieved by our national defense industry and will also contribute to increasing the visibility of our country's accumulation and successes in the defense field. Detailed information and application procedures for the activity can be accessed on the official NATO EDGE 26 website."
Aktürk said that Israel's aggressive and expansionist attitude in the Middle East is worsening the humanitarian situation in the region day by day. He stated that Israel is forcing Lebanese people into permanent migration by expanding its occupied areas in Lebanon on the one hand, and on the other hand, turning a blind eye to provocative actions by Israeli extremist groups at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Aktürk said, "We once again emphasize that the international community should increase pressure on Israel and take concrete steps against these actions, which are clear violations of international law and target peace and stability in the region."
Aktürk drew attention to the importance of the negotiations between Iran and the USA resulting in lasting peace for the region and expressed hope that the parties will act with common sense and constructively. Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continuously carry out national and international training and exercise activities to maintain and improve combat effectiveness and to become more effective, deterrent, and ready in land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains. Providing information about the exercises, Aktürk said:
"The Denizkurdu-II Exercise, which started today and is conducted in the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean to improve decision-making skills in a highly threatening environment and to test joint interoperability procedures, involves 125 ships, 60 air units, unmanned maritime vehicles, and 18,000 personnel from our Naval Forces as well as our Land and Air Forces and the Coast Guard Command, and will continue until June 14. The Distinguished Observer Day activities of the exercise will be held on June 11 on TCG Anadolu in the Eastern Mediterranean."
Aktürk stated that efforts to strengthen the modern and effective defense power of the Turkish Armed Forces with advanced technology products of the domestic and national defense industry continue decisively. Within this scope, Aktürk announced that in the last two weeks, the Land Forces Command has completed the inspection and acceptance activities of various quantities of MİLKAR-6A Portable Electronic Attack System and UAV-230 ammunition for the first time and added them to the inventory, saying:
"Our Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) has completed the delivery of various weapons and ammunition, primarily the MK-82 general-purpose aircraft bomb. Additionally, ASELSAN has delivered various quantities of the TARAS-II Radio Link System to the Land Forces Command, the AcroSAT Ship Satellite Communication Terminal to the Naval Forces Command, and the Laser Guidance Kit (LGK 84), Warning UAV Counter System, and ARTcom 9681 Air Radio to the Air Force Command."
Aktürk stated that activities aimed at strengthening the family institution continue within the scope of the "Year of the Family." He said that "Healthy Family Training" has been provided to 71,181 personnel and the "Premarital Education Program" to 676,327 participants so far, adding:
"With the awareness that a strong family is the foundation of a strong society, a strong Turkey, and a strong army, we will continue our education and awareness activities for our personnel and their families. On this occasion, we celebrate National Family Week and wish health, peace, and happiness to our families. We also celebrate World Environment Day on June 5 in advance and once again emphasize the importance of the 'zero waste' goal within the scope of protecting the environment, creating sustainable living spaces, and combating climate change.".
