Incirlik

Incirlik Air Base is located approximately eight miles from Adana, Turkey. There are approximately 1,500 permanently assigned military and 1,500 family members, along with a variety of DoD civilians and contract personnel. Close to many of the world's potential trouble spots, Incirlik Air Base is an important base in NATO's Southern Region.

The mission of the host 39th Air Base Wing is to help protect U.S. and NATO interests in the Southern Region by providing a responsive staging and operational air base ready to project integrated, forward-based airpower. Although the 39th Air Base Wing has no permanently assigned U.S. Air Force aircraft, it provides excellent facilities and supports training deployments and regional exercises. Incirlik is a key communications link in the southern region, provides cargo hub support for various operations and vital support for tenant and geographically separated units. Key support includes medical services, supply, security and force protection, base infrastructure, communications support, transportation services, airlift and services.

Incirlik's role in the Middle East took on even greater importance with the beginning of the Gulf War in 1990. During that time thousands of sorties took place above Iraq. Following the war, Incirlik supported humanitarian efforts of Operation Provide Comfort and the surveillance efforts of Operation Northern Watch to prevent unauthorized use of Iraqi air space.

In response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Incirlik served as a main hub of humanitarian airlift operations to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It managed a 600 percent increase in airflow. Beginning in 2003 it also played a key role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, described as the largest troop movement in U.S. history.

More recently Incirlik has served as an air bridge for the Pakistan Earthquake Relief Effort, and helped support more than 1,700 displaced American citizens from Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.

While Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, religious tolerance is the law and significant Christian and Jewish communities thrive here. It is also a very functional Western-style Democracy, one of a handful of Democracies in the world to have had a female President. Much of Western Turkey culture is very similar to its neighbors in Europe and coastal Turkey is rapidly growing as a major Mediterranean resort vacation spot. Eastern Turkey is much more conservative.

Incirlik is in the south-central part of Turkey, only 35 miles from the Mediterranean. There are many shops in Incirlik Village; fresh fruit and vegetable markets, small restaurants and bakeries that make and sell marvelous Turkish bread or "Ekmek." Adana is half modern, half very "old world". It has Turkish Bazaars, open markets and a modern, western-style shopping mall, complete with a Cineplex that plays the latest American movies in English and an indoor Ice-skating rink.

The weather at Incirlik resembles south-central Texas. Hot and humid during the summer and fall, moderate to cool the rest of the year. A "rainy season" generally occurs between December and March. Annual precipitation averages 27 inches. The Toros mountains an hour to the north are much cooler.

Turkey is a shopper's paradise for gold, carpets, spices and antiques. Other items include textiles, leather, brass, onyx pieces, and pistachios. In most stores, the culture requires bargaining. Usually this occurs over a Turkish tea called Cay (chai) which will be offered free by the merchant upon entry into the store.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Recreation

On base services include a swimming pool, nine-hole golf course, horse stables, skeet range, auto hobby shop, skills development center (ceramics/woodworking), bowling center, fitness center, sports center, library, consolidated club, recreation center, outdoor recreation supply and check-out. There is also a wide variety of off-base activities; snow skiing, water sports, mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, fishing and touring.

Education Facilities

The Education Office offers a variety of college courses during the week as well as weekend classes. Bachelor, Master's and Associate Degrees are available through the University of Maryland, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Central Texas College and others. There are also many distance learning opportunities.

DODDS Schools

Incirlik Unit School is a K-12 institution with elementary, middle and high school all on one campus. The school is located on base. The school provides a Sure Start program for selected pre-school age students.

Medical

Incirlik maintains a clinic on the installation. Active duty military family members and their dependents are entitled to medical services. If services are unavailable, patients will be referred to TRICARE. The clinics operate by appointment. Emergency Room services are not available on base. A very modern Turkish hospital in Adana, which is constantly monitored to ensure quality of care, is used for emergencies and overnight stays. Expectant mothers may be "Storknested" in Ankara, Turkey or Landstuhl, Germany near their delivery dates. The Dental Clinic operates on an appointment basis, and provides dental treatment.

Veterinarian Services

services. Appointments are required at military Veterinary Services. If an emergency occurs the vet clinic offers 24/7 emergency response.

Red Cross

Emergencies emergencies are handled through Stuttgart, Germany, the Command Post and the Family Support Center.

Child Care

available though the Child Development Center, Family Care Providers, and a large number of families hire full time nannies.

The American Youth Activities (AYA) Center

Sponsors sponsors many programs and activities throughout the year. Youth sports, after school program, field trips, carnivals, picnics, adventure camps and a variety of other events.

Shopping

In addition to the Base Exchange, there is a Turkish Base Exchange, Barber/Beauty Shop, BookMark, Car Sales, Electronic Repair, Food Mall, furniture store, gas station, movie theater, optical shop and video rental. There is also a well-stocked commissary.

Religious Activities

Worship services include: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, Latter Day Saints and Earth-Based. Programs include Bible studies for men, women, youth and a singles ministry. Confidential personal, marital and family counseling is available. The chapel also sponsors a "Coffee House".

Clubs

There is a modern "Consolidated Club" providing typical club activities with enlisted and officers lounges, along with a restaurant, cashier and a Travel and Tour Office.

Banking

There is no base "bank," but there is a Pentagon Federal Credit Union on base. There are five ATM machines available on base. The Finance Office cashes checks, exchange dollars for Turkish lira and redeems savings bonds for service members.

Home Comforts

Television: Cable is provided in military housing and lodging facilities. Commercial satellite service and internet access are available at additional charges.

Internet: For a minimal charge access to the Internet can be achieved by stopping by the bowling ally.

Telephone: Every phone on base has a 676 prefix. Charges for long distance calls are taken out of active duty members' pay. People can also buy services like Vontage if they wish.

Lodging and Housing

There is ample base housing available for families and the waiting list is short, with longer waiting periods during the peak PCS season between June and September. Active duty personnel and most DoD civilians are required to reside on base. DoDDs teachers and contractors may reside off base.

IZMIR

Izmir is a 12-month unaccompanied assignment. There are no DoDDS schools and no base or post housing. Service members live in high-rise apartments or houses "on the economy," and many of them wear civilian clothes during duty hours or change into uniforms only at their places of work.

Members of the American military community live and work alongside the Turkish population. Most base functions are in Bayrakli, about four miles from downtown Izmir.

Izmir, formerly known as Smyrna, is located on Turkey's west coast along the Aegean Sea, 150 miles south of the Dardanelles, the strait that divides Europe and Asia. This modern metropolis is the third largest city in Turkey with a population of more than four million. One of Turkey's major seaports, second only to Istanbul, Izmir is a major outlet for a rich agricultural region where much of Turkey's tobacco and fruits are grown.

The most important street for tourists in Izmir is the long Ataturk Caddesi. One side of this broad seafront is lined with handsome modern buildings, mainly restaurants. Also worth visiting are the Archaeological, Cultural and Ethnographical Museums.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

Sports and Recreation

Just about any recreational activity other than golf that you enjoy at a stateside base can be found in Izmir. Much is located only four miles from the air station at Bayrakli Park, the only open green space under squadron control. Facilities include a fitness center, two lighted tennis courts, a football/soccer field, a golf driving range, mini golf, sand volleyball, a large playground, a swimming and wading pool, a large picnic area with several barbecue grills and a lighted softball field.

Turkey's jagged coastline is beautiful to look at and provides many delightful places to swim in the turquoise-clear waters of the Aegean Sea. Within an hour's drive of Izmir is a wide selection of beaches, hotels, resorts and campgrounds.

There is no Youth or Child Development Center. The majority of the community-geared programs will be offered through the Club, Fitness Center, Marketing or Outdoor Recreation.

Education Services

The Education Office offers a variety of college courses during the week as well as weekend classes, and has a learning lab for distance learning.

Health Services

The 425th ABS Medical Aid Station (MAS) has very limited services provided by two Independent Duty Medical Technicians (IDMT), trained to treat common illnesses and injuries and to provide emergency stabilization and transport to Emergency Room. Only very healthy active duty members with no significant medical problems should consider PCSing to Izmir. The area is bad for persons with respiratory problems. Coal is used widely for heating and smog control is poor. And the tap water in Turkey should not be drunk, even in the Hotel. Purchase bottled water. Water in U.S.facilities has been treated. Medical needs requiring a physician are referred to local Turkish physicians or air evaculated to a medical treatment facility in theater.

Religious Activities

The Chapel, probably the most unique one in the world, offers Catholic masses and Protestant worship services every Sunday, plus religious education, men and women's groups, Bible studies, retreats, and biblical tours. The services are held in the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, a place of history and beauty.

Exchange and Commissary

The base exchange and commissary are located in the same building. About 70 percent of the 1,000 or so Americans affiliated with the military in Izmir live in the central business district of Alsancak, and most of those eligible to use the exchange can walk from their apartments. This is important since about 60 percent of active-duty military people come to Izmir without cars. The exchange is small and carries a limited amount of merchandise. For the sake of variety, be prepared to shop on the economy and to purchase items from catalogs and the internet. There are five computers at the base library that can be used for online shopping.

The commissary carries most items available in larger commissaries including fresh milk, meat, chicken rotisserie and deli. You can also special order items.

There is also a snack bar, a Class Six store and a number of concessions, including a Baskin-Robbins, a plaque shop, barber shop, beauty shop, dry cleaner, rug shop, marble & iron shop, gift shops, a food mall, electronic repair, new car sales and an optical shop.

Airman & Family Readiness Center

Izmir's center offers classes on Turkish culture, personal finances, transition assistance and local resources with information and referral.

Shopping

Izmir's bazaar is situated to the northeast of Konak Square extending through a maze of narrow streets and lanes with innumerable workshops, little shops and stalls. Specialty items are gold, silver, copper, carpets and leather goods.

Television

Antenna systems can pick up six to ten Turkish TV stations, but you will need a PAL-compatible or multi-system TV in order to view them. Services has satellite dishes available for rent. This will give reception for USAFE, AFRTS and AFN TV stations. American (NTSC) VCR tapes are available for loan at the library and for rent at the Shoppette.

Transit Lodging Facility

At the Hilton Hotel, which offers a broad range of amenities.

Banking

There is no American banking facility in Izmir. Ensure that your pay is being automatically deposited to a stateside institution and that you have a checking account in place before you PCS. Online banking services are also recommended. Checks can be cashed at the Finance Cashiers Cage, the Exchange and the Izmir Club. There are also three automatic teller machines on base.

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