NATO Defensive Support to Turkey

Operation “Display Deterrence”

As a result of Turkey invoking article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO has launched Operation “Display Deterrence” in support of the defence of the Turkish population and territory.

On 19 February 2003, the NATO Defence Planning Committee authorized Alliance military authorities to implement, as a matter of urgency, defensive measures to assist Turkey.

On 26 February 2003, NATO radar and monitoring aircraft (AWACS) deployed to Konya Air Base, in Turkey. At the same time PATRIOT ground-based air defence units from The Netherlands arrived in Southeastern Turkey and deployed to Diyarbakir and Batman. The deployment of the surveillance aircraft and the missile defences aim at helping protect the country in the event of an attack on its territory or population.

Operation “Display Deterrence” is conducted under the overall command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General James Jones, and is run by NATO's regional headquarters Southern Europe (AFSOUTH).

The Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe, Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, is the Joint Force Commander for this deployment.

The Commander Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, Lieutenant General Glen W. Moorhead III, US Air Force, exercises command and control over NATO air defence assets currently deployed in Turkey through the Commander of Combined Air Operation Center 6, Lieutenant General Faruk Comert, Turkish Air Force.

The Commander of Joint Command South East in Izmir, Turkey, General Oktar Ataman, Turkish Army, is the Land Component Commander for Operation “Display Deterrence”.

The military objective of the operation is to assist in the defence of Turkey through a credible demonstration of Alliance resolve and deployment of capable military assets.

The aim of the NATO presence in Turkey is solely to contribute to the defence of one of its members in accordance with the North Atlantic Treaty, the founding basis of the Alliance.