Anatolian Eagle Exercise - 2023

Anadolu Eagle Exercise’s 2023 edition was conducted over an area of 300x400 km², spanning from Konya, which includes Türkiye’s second largest lake, Tuz Lake, to Ankara. The exercise took place between 5 and 12 May 2023 and was organized by the Anadolu Eagle Training Center. This center is one of only three tactical training facilities of its kind in the world and the only one in Europe.

^{Personnel from participating nations and the Anadolu Eagle Training Center, Konya. (2023) (Credit:} Air Forces Command⁾

The Anadolu Eagle Training Center has provided a total of 46 training cycles, comprising 25 international and 21 national sessions. Approximately 26,000 sorties were flown by 15 different participating nations.

The first exercise, Anadolu Eagle 01, was organized by the Turkish Air Forces Operations Command between 18 and 29 June 2001. In addition to Türkiye, the air forces of the United States and Israel also participated. The exercise was suspended in 2017 and 2018 following the July 15 Coup Attempt of 2016, and resumed in 2019. It was again suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reinstated in 2021. In 2024, the Ministry of National Defense announced: “Due to the restoration of the main runway at Konya Air Base under the NATO Security Investment Program, the 2024 International Anadolu Eagle Exercise will not be conducted between May 2023 and May 2025. The International Anadolu Eagle Exercise is planned to be held 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 Anadolu Eagle Exercise, which traces its origins to 2001 when the Turkish Air Forces required a dedicated training facility to modernize its combat fleet, reached a performance level enabling it to organize its own exercises based on lessons learned from conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo. Anadolu Eagle was inspired by Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises. The training center and operational procedures in Konya adhere to the same standards as Red Flag and Maple Flag.

The exercise’s objectives are diverse and extend beyond merely enhancing pilots’ operational training levels. Air defense personnel and controllers work in close cooperation to test and develop common operational procedures, minimize losses in real operations, and maximize mission effectiveness—all within the realistic operational environment simulated by Anadolu Eagle. Training aids such as the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation and Mission Evaluation System enable precise and rapid assessment of all missions conducted during the exercise, providing all participants with an advanced joint training environment aligned with the exercise’s goals. Moreover, the exercise offers an opportunity to test and evaluate new tactics and techniques.

In addition to the host nation, Türkiye’s Turkish Air Forces, participating air forces included those of the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. During Anadolu Eagle 2023 (AE-23), pilots collaborated to further enhance joint operational awareness by applying tactics in large force compositions.

A total of 55 aircraft from six countries participated in AE-23, listed as follows:

• Turkish Air Forces: 34 F-16s, 4 F-4Es, Anka UCAV, and AKINCI UCAV
• Azerbaijani Air Forces: 3 SU-25s
• Royal Air Force: 4 Eurofighter Typhoons
• Pakistan Air Force: 5 F-16s
• United Arab Emirates Air Force: 4 F-16s
• Qatar Air Force: 5 Eurofighter Typhoons
• NATO E-3 AWACS Airborne Early Warning and Control

^{Anadolu Eagle Exercise, Konya, 2023. (Credit:} Air Forces Command⁾

In addition to participating nations, observer countries included the United States, Australia, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, Georgia, Sweden, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Libya, Malaysia, and Oman.

The purpose of inviting diverse air forces is to learn operationally from one another and bring as many insights as possible to the table. Emphasis is placed on enhancing combat readiness and cooperation during joint daylight operations. Tasks undertaken during the exercise include Air Surface Forces Air Operations, Combined Air Operations (COMAO), and COMAO-external sorties. These aim to raise participants’ training levels by planning and executing complex air operations against tactical and strategic targets.

Click here to view the video of the 50th International Anadolu Eagle Exercise held in 2023.