Anti-ISIS operations from Incirlik Air Base are grounded until further notice after Turkey cut off external power and established a no fly over the installation. This comes after a military coup failed to remove President Tayyip Erdogan from power last night. ABC News reported that a Pentagon spokesman said that internal power sources are being used at Incirlik, and that U.S. military personnel are not in any immediate danger. They’re working with the Turkish government in the hopes of resuming air strikes against ISIS. Incirlik is also unqiue in that tactical nuclear weapons are housed on base.
The news organization added that 2,200 U.S. military members are in Turkey, with 1,500 being stationed at Incirlik. They've been placed on Force Protection Condition Delta since the coup began last night. The alert usually is issued when a terrorist attack has occurred or could occur to military installations. All military installations were place on condition Delta status during the 9/11 attacks.
"Turkish government has closed its airspace to military aircraft, and as a result air operations at Incirlik Air Base have been halted at this time," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told ABC News. "In the meantime, U.S. Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimize any effects on the campaign."
#BREAKING U.S Defense Dep.says Turkish government has closed its airspace to military aircraft, air operations at Incirlik air base halted
— CNN Türk ENG (@CNNTURK_ENG) July 16, 2016
Turkey's Incirlik Air Base has been sealed and the power cut off, says U.S. consulate https://t.co/2J8OHYDy4E pic.twitter.com/RBEZHVKA2s
— CNN (@CNN) July 16, 2016
