Report: Turkey Approves US Drone Flights To Monitor Islamic State
Oct. 16, 2014 - 07:25PM | By BRIAN EVERSTINE
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141016/DEFREG04/310160033/Report-Turkey-Approves-US-Drone-Flights-Monitor-Islamic-State

Air Force drones in Turkey have reportedly received the OK to join the fight
against the Islamic State.

Incirlik Air Base is a joint US and Turkish Air Force facility that is host
to about 1,500 US military members. The base is home to the 414th
Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, which has flown the MQ-1B Predator
since the unit reactivated in 2011.

The base has been a focal point of discussions between US and Turkish
officials, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saying last week that the base
would be key, along with helping to train and equip some moderate Syrian
forces. Turkish officials have pressed for more US involvement, including in
setting up a no-fly zone and a safe haven near the border with Syria.

Turkish officials reportedly approved the use of unmanned aircraft for
reconnaissance, but will not allow use of manned aircraft from the base, The
Daily Beast reported Thursday.

The news comes after Ankara and US officials had meetings at Joint Base
Andrews, Maryland. Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said Thursday
that the discussions were “positive,” but there would be no official
announcement on the use of Incirlik yet.

US Central Command said Thursday the command does not comment on any
specific basing locations for types of aircraft used in the fight against
the Islamic State.

A US official told The Daily Beast that Turkey is letting the US do “signals
work.”

“They have not objected to just about anything on the surveillance side,”
the official said. “The fights have been about manned aircraft coming in and
out.”

Turkey has already been involved in the fight against the Islamic State and
will continue to be a partner, Kirby said.

“They not only have a stake, they have been playing a role,” Kirby said at a
joint briefing with the Department of State. “They’ve been forced to play a
role.”

The Defense Department announced Thursday more airstrikes against Islamic
State targets near the town of Kobani, where Kurdish fighters have been
fighting militants. The US conducted at least 14 strikes, hitting 19
buildings and 10 other targets, according to Central Command.