US Ambassador to Turkey visits Incirlik Air Base

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield visited U.S. military members stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10.

Satterfield met with leaders from the 39th Air Base Wing to discuss the allied mission along the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s southern flank and to meet with Airmen dedicated to providing strategic deterrence and enhancing agile combat support during his visit to the base.

“We are incredibly proud of what our team does here every day,” said Col. John Creel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, during the wing mission briefing. “I have charged my commanders with looking not just at our mission today, but with focusing on how we become more ready and agile five years from now.”

The 39th Air Base Wing continues to evolve as a reliable partner for regional allies. Acknowledging the importance of this mission, Satterfield remarked, “We value our strong and enduring relationships with our Turkish military counterparts. Our presence here signals our longstanding commitment to cooperation and joint efforts to promote security and stability that benefits both our nations, the region, and the Alliance.”

Turkey is an outstanding military partner and a leader within the Alliance in contributions to NATO missions, he added.

“The mission of the 39th Air Base Wing is critical to providing innovative, persistent and resilient security outcomes,” Satterfield said. “I applaud your work to develop seamless interoperability with NATO allies and regional partners. The relationships you build here are key to regional stability.”

U.S. Air Force 39th Air Base Wing leadership greets U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield as he arrives at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10. Satterfield traveled to the base to discuss the role Incirlik Airmen and Soldiers play in regional security. Photos by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield walks alongside Col. John Creel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, and 39th ABW leadership at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10. Satterfield came to Incirlik to discuss the role Airmen and Soldiers stationed at and deployed to Incirlik play in regional security.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield signs a guest book while Turkish Air Force Col. Hakan Aki, 10th Tanker Wing chief of operations, watches at the Turkish Air Force 10th Tanker Wing headquarters at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10.

From left, Turkish Air Force Col. Hakan Aki, 10th Tanker Wing chief of operations, sits with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield, U.S. Air Force Col. John Creel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Welch, Defense Attaché, during a visit to the 10th Tanker Wing Headquarters at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10.

Col. John Creel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, shares the 39th ABW strategic outlook with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield during a site visit at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10. Satterfield came to Incirlik to discuss the role Airmen and Soldiers stationed at and deployed to Incirlik play in regional security.

Col. John Creel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield discuss the 39th ABW strategic outlook during a site visit at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 10.