General Staff Denies Speacial Training to Israeli Airforce
"No country's war pilots are provided special training programs" declared the Turkish General Staff, on allegations that Israeli pilots who participated in the recent offensive against Gaza were trained in Turkey.
Israeli air force participates in the annual Anatolian Eagle maneuvers held in Konya, said Communications Department head Gen. Metin Gurak.
"Those maneuvers are planned by the Turkish Air Force and participating countries play the defined scenario, as no country's personnel are provided special training. Israeli Air Force participated in the event with 10 planes annually, for a total of five times. "
Global Coalition for Peace and Justice (Kuresel-BAK) spokes person Tayfun Mater questions if Israeli pilots who participated in the offensive against Gaza will also be participating in this year's maneuvers.
The coalition is among the NGOs that urge an end to military cooperation between Turkey and Israel.
The airfield in Konya is 200 kilometers in length and 15 kilometers in width. Israel has no such airfield for low head flight training. Turkey and Israel had signed a military cooperation agreement on February 23, 1996.
Israeli Military Industries (IMI) had completed a 700 million dollar deal regarding the modernization of M-60 tanks in Turkey.(TK/AGÜ)
