With Turkey's invasion of Syria, concerns mount over nukes at Incirlik

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/10/14/with-turkeys-invasion-of-syria-concerns-mount-over-nukes-at-incirlik/


A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle lands at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in November 2015. The deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Turkey has led to concerns about the nuclear weapons reportedly housed there. (Airman 1st Class Cory Bush/Air Force)

By: Stephen Losey ? 1 day ago

The Air Force on Monday said it has made no changes to daily operations at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey even as Turkish forces continue to push into Syrian territory, which has prompted U.S. forces to pull back.

But concerns are growing over the reported presence of U.S. nuclear weapons at Incirlik, believed to be about 50 B61 gravity bombs. The New York Times on Monday reported that officials from the State and Energy departments over the weekend reviewed plans for evacuating the nuclear weapons there.

Not surprisingly, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek would not answer questions about possible nuclear weapons at Incirlik and whether they would be moved in a Monday email.

“The mission of the 39th [Air Base Wing at Incirlik] is to provide persistent surety and continuous air operations for the U.S., our allies and our partners and helps protect U.S. and NATO interests in the Southern Region by providing a responsive and operational air base ready to project integrated, forward-based airpower,” Stefanek said. But she stated there have been no daily operations changes at the base.

A senior official reportedly told the Times that the weapons “were now essentially [Turkish President Recep] Erdogan’s hostages” since removing the weapons would effectively spell the end of America’s alliance with Turkey, but keeping them there would leave them vulnerable.

The situation with Turkey, a NATO ally, has become increasingly volatile as Turkish forces tore into the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces after the U.S. pulled back and abandoned them.

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The clusterfuck grows...

[Leghorn21]

1. Map, just for quick orientation:

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Thanks!

This is dangerous. I know the chances of nukes falling into nefarious hands are slim, but just the fact we can't remove them from Turkey without serious consequences (Turkey leaving NATO) is extremely troubling.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Those 50 tactical nuclear weapons may or may not still be in Turkey...if they were even ever there.

Movement of nuclear weapons is totally shrouded in secrecy and one of the most guarded secrets. Bank on it.

[mitch96]

4. Hopefully clearer minds prevailed way before this shit happened and moved them to a safer country.