--- title: Özlem İyidilli Karapınar slug: ozlem-iyidilli-karapinar-e8951 url: /detay/ozlem-iyidilli-karapinar-e8951 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Özlem İyidilli Karapınar type: biography categories: - name: Intelligence, Security, and Defense slug: istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar url: /kategori/istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler - name: Biography And Autobiography slug: biyografi-ve-otobiyografi url: /kategori/biyografi-ve-otobiyografi tags: - özlemlarapınar - airforces - officer - Turkish Air Forces - Commander - Pasha - Age - Soldier - Özlem - General - Military - TSK author: Gözde Cabadak created_at: 2026-08-05T09:18:53.021015+03:00 updated_at: 2026-08-05T09:18:53.021025+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/05/5oMC4YPohR0EYEP6UPCH8yEsjrGm6Q4m.png --- # Özlem İyidilli Karapınar > Özlem İyidilli Karapınar is the first female officer to attain the rank of brigadier general in the Turkish Air Forces. ## KURE Information Cards ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/05/jQ3afkve8GR5yd8WAiIsoBHglJtBWu1B.png) *Özlem İyidilli Karapınar* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Profession | Soldier | | Affiliated Force | Turkish Air Forces | | Class | Aviation | | Rank | Brigadier General | | Education | Air War School | ## Article Content **Özlem İyidilli Karapınar** is the first female officer in Türkiye to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the aviation branch of the Turkish Air Forces.[^1] [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mrzNgMXXcc) *Türk Hava Kuvvetleri'nin İlk Kadın Paşası Özlem Karapınar Oldu ! (TGRT Haber)* ### Early Life and Academic Career Özlem İyidilli Karapınar is the daughter of teacher Mehmet Emin İyidilli. She was born as the second child in her family. After completing secondary education, she earned a place at the Faculty of Medicine of Ege University through the university entrance examination results.[^2] However, during the same period, she received a special invitation letter from the Air Force Academy targeting students with high scores in science and mathematics. In response to this invitation, Karapınar changed her career plans and decided to begin military education within the Turkish Air Forces instead of pursuing medical studies.[^3] ### Military Career and Promotion Process After completing her education at the Air Force Academy, Karapınar began her service as a staff officer within the Turkish Air Forces and held various positions across different units and headquarters throughout her career.[^4] While serving in the rank of colonel, she was included in the promotion list during the 2026 Supreme Military Council meeting. Following the meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidency Complex, it was decided that she would be promoted to the rank of brigadier general. This promotion decision was approved to take effect as of 30 August 2026.[^5] ### Her Position in the 2026 Supreme Military Council Decisions Under the 2026 Supreme Military Council decisions, 25 generals and admirals were promoted to a higher rank, and 69 colonels, including Özlem Karapınar, were promoted to the ranks of general and admiral. As a result of these promotions, the total number of generals and admirals in the Turkish Armed Forces reached 334 as of 30 August. Karapınar is one of the 18 colonels promoted to brigadier general within the Turkish Air Forces Command during this council.[^6] ### Historical Significance With the Supreme Military Council decisions dated 4 August 2026[^7], Karapınar became the first female officer in the Turkish Armed Forces to attain the rank of brigadier general in the aviation branch, securing her place in history. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Yüksek Askeri Şura kararları Resmi Gazete'de." Accessed August 5, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/yuksek-askeri-sura-kararlari-resmi-gazetede/4018568 2. Anadolu Ajansı. "Yüksek Askeri Şura kararları açıklandı." Accessed August 5, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/yuksek-askeri-sura-kararlari-aciklandi/4018073 3. Hürriyet. "İlk Kadın General seçilen Özlem Karapınar kimdir, kaç yaşında, nereli? İşte Özlem Karapınar hayatı ve biyografisi." Accessed August 5, 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/bilgi/galeri/ozlem-karapinar-kimdir-kac-yasinda-nereli-ilk-kadin-general-secilen-ozlem-karapinar-hayati-ve-biyografisi-43262209/1 4. Milliyet. "Özlem Karapınar kimdir, nereli? İlk kadın general Özlem Karapınar kaç yaşında? İşte hayatı." Accessed August 5, 2026. https://www.milliyet.com.tr/bilgi-rehberi/ozlem-karapinar-kimdir-nereli-ilk-kadin-general-ozlem-karapinar-kac-yasinda-7635240 5. T.C. Presidency of Communication. "Yüksek Askerî Şûra toplandı." Accessed August 5, 2026. https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haberler/detay/yuksek-askeri-sura-toplandi-04-08-26 6. TGRT Haber TV. "TSK Tarihine Geçen Terfi! Türk Hava Kuvvetleri'nin İlk Kadın Paşası Özlem Karapınar Oldu." YouTube. Accessed July 5, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mrzNgMXXcc 7. ntv. "Türk Hava Kuvvetleri'nin ilk kadın paşası Özlem Karapınar oldu." Accessed August 5, 2026. ## Citations [^1]: ntv. "Türk Hava Kuvvetleri'nin ilk kadın paşası Özlem Karapınar oldu." Accessed August 5, 2026. [^2]: Hürriyet. "İlk Kadın General seçilen Özlem Karapınar kimdir, kaç yaşında, nereli? İşte Özlem Karapınar hayatı ve biyografisi." Erişim Tarihi 5 Ağustos 2026. https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/bilgi/galeri/ozlem-karapinar-kimdir-kac-yasinda-nereli-ilk-kadin-general-secilen-ozlem-karapinar-hayati-ve-biyografisi-43262209/1 [^3]: Hürriyet. "İlk Kadın General seçilen Özlem Karapınar kimdir, kaç yaşında, nereli? İşte Özlem Karapınar hayatı ve biyografisi." [^4]: Hürriyet. "İlk Kadın General seçilen Özlem Karapınar kimdir, kaç yaşında, nereli? İşte Özlem Karapınar hayatı ve biyografisi." [^5]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Yüksek Askeri Şura kararları açıklandı." Erişim Tarihi 5 Ağustos 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/yuksek-askeri-sura-kararlari-aciklandi/4018073 [^6]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Yüksek Askeri Şura kararları açıklandı." [^7]: T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı İletişim Başkanlığı. "Yüksek Askerî Şûra toplandı." Erişim Tarihi 5 Ağustos 2026. https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haberler/detay/yuksek-askeri-sura-toplandi-04-08-26