What is it that’s about to happen that we don’t have the security or confidence to remain at 3 sites in Turkey?
Note the proximity to Syria of the airbase involved. Last year Turkey began allowing us to use that airbase to strike ISIS.
Not good at all.
The Pentagon is ordering the evacuation of nearly 700 military family members from Incirlik Air Base and two smaller military installations in Turkey because of concerns over the deteriorating security environment there.
Families are expected to begin leaving Turkey on Wednesday, stopping first at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, before continuing on to the States or other duty locations, U.S. European Command told Stars and Stripes.
“We understand this is disruptive to our military families, but we must keep them safe and ensure the combat effectiveness of our forces to support our strong ally Turkey in the fight against terrorism,” EUCOM chief Gen. Philip Breedlove said Tuesday in a statement.
The mandatory departure order, announced by the State Department, affects nearly all Defense Department dependents assigned to Incirlik, as well as those at smaller bases in Izmir and Mugla.
About 670 dependents are expected to be evacuated, along with 287 pets. About 770 dependents, most from Incirlik, are currently in Turkey, EUCOM spokeswoman Julie Weckerlein said. Those allowed to stay are the family members of mission-essential personnel.
US issues travel warning for Americans in #Turkey: USG staff restricted to "mission critical" activities in Izmir. pic.twitter.com/YrsJWOC5vE
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) March 29, 2016
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