This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The 2023 edition of the Anatolian Eagle Exercise was conducted over an area of 300x400 km2 stretching from Konya to Ankara, encompassing Türkiye's second largest Salt. The exercise took place between 5 and 12 May 2023 and was organized by the Anatolian Eagle Training Center. This center is one of only three tactical training centers worldwide with a similar structure and the only such center in Europe.
Personnel from participating nations and the Anatolian Eagle Training Center, Konya. (2023) (Credit: Air Forces Command)
The Anatolian Eagle Training Center has provided a total of 46 training cycles, including 25 international and 21 national periods. Approximately 26,000 sorties have been flown among 15 different participating nations.
The first exercise, Anatolian Eagle 01, was organized by the Turkish Air Force Operations Command between 18 and 29 June 2001. In addition to Türkiye, the air forces of USA and Israel participated in the exercise. After the 15 July Coup Initiative in 2016, the exercise was suspended in 2017 and 2018, and resumed in 2019. It was again suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held again in 2021. In 2024, the Ministry of National Defense announced: “Under the Security Investments Program, due to runway restoration work at Konya Airfield between May 2023 and May 2025, the 2024 International Anatolian Eagle Training will not be conducted. The International Anatolian Eagle Training is planned to be conducted in June 2025 at the Konya 3rd Main Jet Command.”
Qatar Air Force aircraft preparing for the exercise, Konya. (2023) (Credit: Air Forces Command)
The Anatolian Eagle Exercise, whose origins trace back to 2001 when the Turkish Air Force required a training facility to support the modernization of its war fleet, reached a performance level enabling it to organize its own exercises based on lessons learned from conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo. Anatolian Eagle was inspired by Red Flag and Maple Flag. The training center in Konya and its operation processes meet the same standards as Red Flag and Maple Flag.
The objectives of the exercise are diverse and extend beyond enhancing the operational training level of pilots. Air defense personnel and controllers work together in close to test operational procedures and minimize losses and maximize mission effectiveness in to develop and true operations. All of this takes place within the realistic operational environment simulated by Anatolian Eagle. Air Battle Maneuver Instrumentation and Mission Evaluation Systems such as serve as training aids, ensuring precise and fast evaluation of missions conducted during the exercise. This provides all participants with an advanced common training environment that serves the exercise’s purpose. Furthermore, the exercise offers a opportunity to test and evaluate new tactics and techniques.
Participating nations alongside Türkiye’s Turkish Air Force include the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar Air Forces. During Anatolian Eagle 2023 (AE-23), pilots collaborated to further enhance joint operational awareness by applying tactics in large-scale composite formations.
A total of 55 airplane from six different countries participated in AE-23. They are listed below.
Anatolian Eagle Exercise, Konya, 2023. (Credit: Command of the Air Forces)
In addition to participating nations, observer countries include the United States, Australia, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, Georgia, Sweden, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Libya, Malaysia and Oman.
The purpose of inviting different air forces is to learn operationally from one another and bring as many insights as possible to the table. Here, enhancing combat readiness and cooperation during joint daylight operations is critical. Tasks undertaken during the exercise include Air Surface Forces Air Operations, Combined Air Operations (COMAO), and COMAO-external sorties place. This aims to raise participants’ training levels by planning and executing complex air operations against tactical and strategic targets.
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