Home  /  Media  /  News  /  2023  /  Deployment of 5 E-3A AWACS to Forward Operating Base Konya ended

On 6 October, the last NATO AWACS team members stationed at Geilenkirchen returned from two months of deployment at Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Konya, Türkiye. Due to the runway maintenance at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen five NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft and up to 120 personnel operated out of Türkiye between 14 August and 6 October. The deployment of five aircraft to Konya was the biggest in the 40 years of history of the operating base.  

From FOB Konya, the AWACS team was able to execute operational Assurance Measures flights, during which the team provided air surveillance on the Eastern part of the Alliance in order to give NATO’s Commanders the best possible understanding of the situation on the ground and in the air. Next to this, the aircrews conducted pilot training, including air to air refuelling, and executed fighter control by training with the Turkish Air Force.

The deployment created not only operational opportunities for the NATO AWACS team but also tested the support capacity of the FOB staff. This encompassed the support of the entire team to fulfil their daily mission and training needs, along with the efficient managing of logistics, dining, and the handling of various personal requests. Lieutenant Colonel Markus Muschler, one of the Detachment Commanders during the deployment, highlighted the support: “The FOB Staff provided outstanding support during ROTO84 to make the NATO AWACS mission a success.” 

FOB Konya is one of the three forward-operating bases (FOBs) and one forward-operating location (FOL) maintained by the E-3A Component. The FOB is a strategically significant military installation located in the heart of Türkiye and has always been an integral part of NATO AWACS operations. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing the collective defence capabilities of NATO by facilitating AWACS operations during the ISAF-operation, Counter ISIS operations and currently for enhanced Vigilance Activities at the Eastern flank of the Alliance. 

“As FOB Konya personnel - from military to civilian, we are proud to show how ready we are at present and in the future to integrate and coordinate with the operational NATO AWACS detachment,” underlined FOB Commander Major Alaattin Diri.