US military deploys more assets to Incirlik to aid Turkey earthquake response
The US military is deploying more aid to its base in southeastern Turkey to assist after devastating dual earthquakes.
The US military has begun deploying additional aircraft and sent a one-star Marine Corps general to Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkey to support the country’s earthquake response, officials said Friday.
Earlier this week, the US Air Force delivered two USAID urban search-and-rescue teams along with structural engineers, medical doctors and 170,000 pounds of emergency equipment to the base to assist local and international crews.
Additional US UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade out of Romania headed to Incirlik on Friday to support relief efforts following a request by the Turkish government that was relayed by USAID, a military official told Al-Monitor.
US European Command (EUCOM) has delegated the military's role in supporting USAID's response mission to US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, based in Naples, Italy.
US Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, who oversees Navy's amphibious forces in Europe, arrived at Incirlik on Thursday to coordinate the military's effort. EUCOM, which is based in Stuttgart, Germany, also deployed a headquarters team to the base in southeastern Turkey.
