MARCH 2, 2023 — Over the course of 21, six U.S. Army CH-47F (Chinook) and six UH-60M (Blackhawk) helicopters delivered 573,250 pounds of humanitarian aid from Incirlik Air Base to the provinces of Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, and Adiyaman, Türkiye, enabling access to remote areas and affected Turkish communities, Feb. 6-27, 2023.
The helicopters delivered cargo containing essential medical supplies, sheltering materials (tents), hygiene products, generators, heaters, cooking supplies, water, diapers, and bedding to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the relief agency of the Turkish government.
“What we’ve accomplished by way of support to the Turkish people in the last 21 days has proven our resolve to our Allies,” said Col. John A. Morris III, Commander, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade. “This brigade came prepared, exceeded expectations, and ultimately reassured our commitment to remain stronger together.”
Three Chinooks and two Blackhawks are part of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB) and three Chinooks are part of the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. Together, they have conducted 29 aerial missions, totaling more than 280 flight hours, since Feb. 7 to support United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Turkish relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake.
1AD CAB is part of Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy. TF 61/2 oversees Naval Force Europe’s (NAVEUR) efforts at Incirlik Air Base. The efforts by the U.S. Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines, in support of interagency partners and our Turkish allies, directly result in humanitarian and disaster relief for the Turkish people.
TF 61/2, under operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Sixth Fleet, is responding to the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated Türkiye on Feb. 6. Hours after the earthquake, U.S. Marines and Sailors established a forward crisis response operations center at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, in close coordination with U.S. interagency partners and Turkish officials.
For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.
Story by Capt. William Stroud
1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade