The United States will join NATO allies and partner nations in Anatolian Eagle 25, a large-scale multinational air force exercise hosted by Turkey between June 23 and July 4, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in a statement.
The exercise will take place at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, in central Turkey, and will feature participation from U.S. fighter jets belonging to the 31st Fighter Wing, based at Aviano Airbase in Italy. The U.S. contingent will be joined by air forces from several NATO members and regional partners, as part of a mission to strengthen collective defense capabilities and improve interoperability through complex joint training.
According to military officials, Anatolian Eagle 25 will simulate realistic combat scenarios designed to test and enhance the participating air forces’ operational readiness. The drills will include missions focused on air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, suppression of enemy air defenses, and dynamic targeting, all conducted in a challenging and highly coordinated environment.
Brigadier General Tad D. Clark, commander of the 31st Fighter Wing, emphasized the significance of the exercise, describing it as an opportunity for “realistic, high-end training” that not only sharpens combat skills but also reinforces the ability of allied forces to work together seamlessly in potential crisis situations. “Anatolian Eagle represents a long-standing and invaluable opportunity to strengthen operational readiness and enhance the vital relationships we share with Turkey and our NATO allies,” Clark said.
The U.S. Department of Defense highlighted that multinational exercises like Anatolian Eagle are essential for maintaining a credible deterrence posture and ensuring that allied forces can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
This year’s exercise comes at a time of mounting regional instability. The Israel-Iran conflict, now in its second week, has raised fears of broader escalation across the Middle East, with concerns that hostilities could spill into neighboring countries. In this context, defense analysts note that joint exercises aimed at improving coordination and preparedness among NATO members and partners take on added importance.
Anatolian Eagle has been hosted by Turkey since 2001 and has become one of the most significant multinational air exercises in the region, fostering cooperation and mutual understanding among participating forces.
Officials from Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense have also welcomed the exercise, stating that it demonstrates Turkey’s continued commitment to NATO’s collective security framework and regional stability.
