Our Skies Have Been Entrusted to the Turkish Air Force for 111 Years

1 June 1911, Birthday of Turkish Air Force:

1 June 2022, "Happy 111th Anniversary of the Turkish Air Force. The Turkish Air Force was established in order to prevent the threats and dangers that may come from the air to the Turkish homeland and nation, and to enable the Land and Naval Forces to accomplish their tasks more easily in a possible war. The mission of the Air Force; deterring the enemy's aggressive intention with its weapons and vehicles with superior speed and destructive power, quickly preventing enemy planes in case of attack on the country and violation of Turkish airspace, destroying the vital military targets of the enemy country and breaking the will and power to continue the war, and It has been determined as ensuring that it is won with the least loss in a short time. The Air Force, which fulfills this main duty in peace and war, has entered a period of intense working period in order to rise to the level of contemporary and modern world aviation with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, on the path and under the leadership of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to take its place more effectively and powerfully in the defense of the country. has entered. Since this period, it has reached today's high point and power with great effort and effort.

Birth Years of Aviation and Turkish Aviation:

8 years after Wilbur and Orwille Wright brothers, who are considered to be the foundation of modern and advanced technology aviation, performed the first flight with the first powered airplane on 17 December 1903, Turkish aviation took its place in world aviation. The history of the Turkish Air Force, one of the world's first military aviation organizations, started with the efforts to establish a military aviation organization under the Ministry of Defense on 13 April 1909. The first flight of the French pilot Baron de Catters on the Hürriyet-i Ebediye Hill on December 2, 1909 and the second flight on December 5, 1909, in the Ottoman lands of Istanbul, were extremely important in terms of Turkish aviation history and were the beginning of the first process. .

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk saw the role played by airplanes in the Tripoli War, and predicted the importance and magnitude of the effectiveness it would bring in the military field with the rapid development of aviation. The aircraft was used primarily for reconnaissance, later for military missions and targets for declaration and bomb-throwing, intimidation purposes. It was used for civilian tasks such as mail and passenger transport, and became a balance and superiority element among armies. These developments caused a great change in the war strategies of the countries and the first step was taken. On 1 June 1911, the "Aviation Commission" was established under the General Inspectorate of Science Continents and Fortified Areas of the Ministry of Defense in order to manage aviation activities from one hand. Kur.Yb.Ismail was assigned to give an official identity to aviation duties and organizational studies. The foundation date of the commission was the date of laying the first foundation, institutionalization and organization of aviation, and this date began to be celebrated as the "Foundation Day of the Air Force". The commission formed by Süreyya İlmen, on the other hand, established the Air Station (Square) and Air (Flight) School in Yeşilköy and formed the first base and school of the Air Force.

Cavalry Captain Mehmet Fesa Evrensev and Lieutenant Yusuf Kenan, who received the highest grade in the exam held on June 28, 1911, started their training at the Flight School of the Bleriot Factory near Paris, France, on July 9, 1911. On February 21, 1912, Captain Fesa Evrensev received the French 780th Turkish Army's 1st badge and Lieutenant Yusuf Kenan got the French 797th French Aviation Club's badge and returned home in April 1912, becoming the first pilots of the Turkish Army. After the opening of the Air School, one of the most important stages in the development and strengthening of Turkish military aviation, in Yeşilköy-Istanbul on 3 July 1912, aviation studies in the Turkish army accelerated and the number of personnel increased. At the beginning of the First World War, air divisions were formed within the armies, and aviators started to serve as active troops and formed the first military unit of aviation in the world.

First Combat Experiences of Turkish Military Aviation Emerge:

With the end of the Balkan War, the improvement and development of Turkish aviation began and new aircraft were purchased in parallel with these efforts. Naval Air School was established in Yeşilköy in June 1914. In 1914, the Air Force was taken from the Command of the Continental Forces of Fortification Inspectorate and was attached to the Muhabere and Muvasala Branch, and was renamed the "Teşkilat-ı Havaiye Inspectorate". With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the improvement and development activities stopped. At the end of 1915, with the increase in the number of aircraft, the 13th Field Navigation Airline Branch was established to carry out aviation works under the command of the General Headquarters, and its name was changed to "Umur-u Havaiye Inspectorate" in November. On May 16, 1916, land and naval aviation were combined under the command of the General Headquarters Aviation Affairs Inspectorate and the 9th Umuru Air Air Inspectorate. In this period, in some of the air companies only Turkish aviator personnel, in others, Turkish and German aviator personnel were jointly assigned, and the tactical management and administration of the companies were left to the armies under their command. During the First World War, Turkish Aviation, with this organizational structure, participated in the war on every front, from Çanakkale to the Hejaz, from Thrace to the Caucasus, from the Caucasus to Palestine, under very difficult conditions and in a wide area. On 29 July 1918, the name of Aviation Affairs Inspectorate (Umuru Air Inspectorate) was changed to Air Forces General Inspectorate (Kuva-yı Havaiye Inspectorship General) and reorganized. However, upon the Ottoman Empire's acceptance of defeat in World War I and the signing of the Armistice of Mudros on 30 October 1918, a new era was entered for Turkish military aviation. Demobilization began in the army and on 29 July 1918, the positions of the Air Force Inspector General were vacated.

With the end of the 1st World War, air troops from Palestine were in Konya, air troops from Iraq were in Elazig, and a significant number of aircraft and materials belonging to the Inspectorate of the Kuva-yı Havaiye-i Yeşilköy-Istanbul, Izmir and Diyarbakir. was also collected. On June 25, 1920, the Ministry of Defense abolished the Air Force Inspector General and disbanded its personnel. Turkish military aviation was left without organization, personnel, tools and equipment, and Turkish aviation came to an end. Turkish aviation at the beginning of the War of Independence; It has become an air force that is inadequate in terms of training, weapons and personnel, tired, exhausted, in poverty and without an aircraft. When the British and the French occupied Yeşilköy Air Station, our brave aviators saved some of the aircraft and materials there and transferred them to Maltepe Air Station. The aircraft and materials to the east of the Yeşilköy Lighthouse of the Naval Air Station were moved to the Golden Horn warehouse of the Ministry of the Sea. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, and his comrades in arms; Since they knew the importance of the existence of air power, they faced the necessity of restructuring Turkish aviation with a few broken, broken planes, equipment, a limited number of aviator personnel and infrastructure who set their heart on the Anatolian movement. The infrastructure and foundation of Turkish aviation, with pilots, observers and machinists gathered in Anatolia; There were planes in Konya, Erzurum, Elazig and Diyarbakir. Aviators who could pass from Istanbul to Anatolia gathered at Konya Air Station. It consisted of 13 aircraft, mostly of Russian structure, inactive in Erzurum, and 4 reconnaissance and 13 fighter aircraft, most of which were unable to fly, at Konya Air Station. With the occupation of Istanbul on March 16, 1920, efforts to establish a self-governing administrative organization in Anatolia began.

The Air Force Undertook Important Functions in the War of Independence:

In order to ensure the independence of the Turkish nation and the integrity of the homeland, the War of Independence started in Anatolia under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Turkish aviators joined the Konya Air Station to take their place in this struggle. After the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on April 23, 1920, the establishment of regular and disciplined armies was accepted as the first thing. Parallel to this principle, the Air Force (Kuva-yı Havaiye) Branch was established on 13 June 1920 under the War Office. After the first air organization of the New Turkish State was put into operation, efforts were made to repair the broken-down planes and to obtain supplies, and from this date on, Turkish aviators have fulfilled their duties by participating in the Eastern and Western Fronts Operations in deprivation but with faith. On February 1, 1921, organizational change was made and the name of the Air Force (Kuva-yı Havaiye) Branch was changed to the General Directorate of the Air Force (Kuva-yı Havaiye Yönetim Umumiyesi). On July 5, 1922, another organizational change was made, and the Air Force Inspectorate (Kuva-yı Airiye Inspectorate) was established under the authority of the division, instead of the General Directorate of the Air Forces.

Despite all kinds of economic and financial difficulties in the founding years of the Republic of Turkey, the country's ability to have an advanced air force was the result of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's foresight on aviation and his interest in this field. After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923, by making the whole world accept the existence, independence and territorial integrity of the Turkish State, studies were started for the establishment of a strong air force that would adapt to modern aviation. in 1923; The Air Force Inspectorate, consisting of 3 air companies, 1 naval air company and 1 air school, increased the number of air companies to ten and the number of naval air companies to three in 1926. In 1925, the Air School was re-established in Eskişehir, and it gave its first graduates in October of the same year. In 1927, its name was changed from Kuva-yı Havaiye-i Inspectorate to Air Force Inspectorate, and under the command of Colonel Muzaffer Ergüder, he served in İzmir-Kordonboyu in 1928. it lasted until In June 1928, the Air Force Inspectorate in Eskişehir was abolished and the Undersecretariat of Air affiliated to the Ministry of National Defense was established, 3 Air Battalions; 1st Airborne Commander Celal Yakal-Eskişehir, 2nd Airborne Commander's Zeki Doğan-Diyarbakır, 3rd Air Force Commander Şefik Çakmak-İzmir and its affiliated companies were formed. The Undersecretariat moved to Ankara and operated first in Hacı Bayram and then on Işıklar Street in Ulus. In 1928, Brigadier Muzaffer Ergüder was appointed as the first Air Undersecretary of the Republican era. Eskisehir; It has become an important center of Turkish aviation with the aircraft factory, flight school and the newly opened air mechanic non-commissioned officer school. On 1 June 1932, the battalions were raised to the level of the regiment due to the increase in the ranks of the officers in the aviation units and the increase in the amount of aircraft and personnel. 1st Air Regiment Commander Lieutenant Zeki Doğan-Eskişehir, 2nd Air Regiment Commander Lt.Celal Yakal-Diyarbakır, 3rd Air Regiment Commander Lt.Şefik Çakmak was deployed in İzmir and a Marine Battalion was formed in İzmir.

Cumhuriyet Draws the Roadmap of Aviation:

In July 1932, aviator personnel were accepted as a separate combat class, and from 1933 on, they began to wear the blue colored uniform, which is the symbol of aviation. Air Brigade Commands were established on 22 May 1939 in order to facilitate the tactical and dispatch management of the air forces, to allow growth in the organization and to transfer responsibilities to a lower level. on June 12, 1939; It was established in 1st Air Force Brigade Commander Colonel Yahya Razi Biltan-Eskişehir and 2nd Air Force Brigade Commander Colonel Celal Yakal-İzmir. From August 16, 1943, Brigades were transformed into Divisions. In 1944, it was decided to gather the air units operating under the Undersecretariat of Air within the Ministry of National Defense under a single command. For this purpose, the Air Force Command was established as an independent force on January 23, 1944, and carried out its activities at the Corps level on January 27, 1944. Major General Zeki Doğan, of cavalry origin, who served in the Çanakkale and War of Independence and lowered the Greek flag from the Izmir Governor's Office, was appointed as the commander. The Air Force Command started its operations in Ankara on February 4, 1944 and was raised to army level in 1947. In 1948, all air units and institutions except the logistics support organizations and the Air War Academy in 1950 were attached to the Air Force Command. Depending on the developing technology of aviation, the schools, which were opened to train personnel related to other specialties and branches of aviation other than pilots, were gathered under a single command in 1950. For this purpose, the Air Technical Schools Command was established.

Turkish Air Force Welcomes Jet Fighters:

In 1951, the Air Force Command started to establish a base and fleet, and the 9th Jet Base Command established in Balıkesir became the first jet base of the Turkish Air Force, and the 191, 192 and 193rd squadrons became the first jet squadrons. The Air Training Corps Command was established on 30 August 1956, all units and institutions related to training were gathered under this command and it was named Air Training Command in 1957. In June 1962, the air divisions were elevated to the corps level and were renamed the Tactical Air Force. In the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, the Air Force showed its power to the world with its effective task. In order to promote the Air Force at home and abroad, to improve its relations with the public and to popularize aviation, the Akrotim fleet was established under the name "Turkish Stars" on September 11, 1992. On 18 June 1993, the "Turkish Stars Akrotimi" made its first show at the 4th Main Jet Base Command-Mürted. “Solotürk” started to operate with a single F-16 aircraft on 25 November 2009, performed its first flight on 1 September 2010 and its first official demonstration flight on 15 April 2011 at the 4th Main Jet Base Command.

The Foundations of the Air War Industry were laid in the Atatürk Era:

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk laid the foundations of the "Air War Industry" in order to create the "Turkish Air Force", which is the strong and effective air power that is the basis of full independence and national sovereignty, and gave importance to his work throughout his life. He expressed his close interest, excitement and longing for the Air War Industry on every platform. While giving importance to the development of Turkish aviation, he emphasized the importance of establishing the air industry and producing aircraft with national resources. In terms of the Air War Industry, great developments and the most important breakthroughs were made in 1923-1938. In the opening speeches of the Assembly, he told the Turkish people about the work done for the development of aviation.

On March 1, 1922; “Our army is evolving one more time every day, and it is undertaken to defend our existence, our national independence and our country safely. In particular, I consider it a necessity of appreciation to commemorate the works of the factories engaged in war industry production with my special appreciation”. On March 1, 1923; “A diligent work has been carried out in the supply of weapons and war tools and equipment this year. We have established new and reserve weapons and ammunition warehouses and factories in various centers”. on 1 November 1924; “While talking about the defense of the country, I would like to draw the special attention and attention of the Supreme Assembly to the air force, which is an important and effective element in the military field”. on 1 November 1928; “We attach great importance to keeping our Land, Naval and Air Armies in a position to maintain peace and security in this country”. On November 1, 1935; “Our aviators, like all our army and navy, are ready and talented heroes to protect the homeland. The Great Nation can consider itself happy with these noble sons”. At the tenth anniversary ball; "Aircraft, remember that the greatest dangers of tomorrow have come from the skies. For this reason, you will always try to be ready and keep up with the dangers that may come suddenly".

Turkish Aviation School (Türk Kuşu) was Founded:

Atatürk showed the importance of air power in every discourse and never spared his material and moral support for the development of aviation. To Sabiha Gökçen before the opening of the Turkish Bird Aviation School on May 3, 1935; “A winged youth is the greatest assurance for the future of the country. If one day Western feet are going to leave their footprints on the Moon, it is necessary to start working and make progress in order to find a Turk among them." He wanted the Turks to be among the western feet on the moon. He predicted the reach of aviation and stated that the future would be the space age. He visited the Eskişehir 1st Aircraft Regiment on June 9, 1936 and watched the demonstration flights and was recorded in the Honor Book; He wrote the note "I'm very happy to see" and stated that he was proud, happy and very happy to see his own work exalted and developed. “There is no doubt that the most effective weapon of the future is airplanes. One day, human beings will walk in the skies without an airplane, go to the planets, maybe send messages from the moon. There will be no need to wait for two thousand years for the realization of this good news. Our duty is to ensure that we do not lag too far behind the West in this regard”. He said that wars will be won by the states that are superior in the heavens.

Young Republic Establishes Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Factories One After The Other:

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emphasized the necessity of establishing the aviation industry, which represents the most advanced technology in the Air War Industry, and desired its development and modernization on his deathbed in the last days of his life. In order to equip the Turkish Air Force with the most modern weapons and aircraft, advanced systems in the world have been taken into inventory and studies have been initiated to carry out maintenance, repair, renewal and factory level maintenance at military factories. The Turkish Aircraft Society, which is unique in the world, pioneered the establishment of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), Turkish Bird, and the establishment of aircraft and aircraft engine factories in Kayseri, Eskişehir and Etimesgut were important initiatives. With the awareness that under the leadership of Atatürk, the independence of the Turkish nation can only be achieved by dominating the skies, the first step was taken on February 16, 1925, with the establishment of the "Turkish Aircraft Society" and constituted a turning point in Turkish aviation. At the opening ceremony on May 15, 1925; “The future is in the skies, because nations that cannot protect their skies can never be sure of tomorrow. As in every job, you will fill your place waiting for us in the skies at the highest level in aviation, in a short time. O Turkish Youth! Soon you will take your place in the sky waiting for you. Otherwise, that place will be invaded by others, and then this country and nation will be lost.”

He emphasized that future wars will be in the skies and that the dominance depends on our power in the skies, and he wanted modern aviation technology to be brought to the country to bring it to the level where he could make his own plane. Because he thought that the end of the nations that could not defend their sky and homeland with the steel wings they made would be disappointment. It aims to become a country that has a voice in the world with the aviation industry to be established for the production of its own aircraft. “Unless we bring the newest technology to the country, not the obsolete ones, we cannot avoid being dependent on foreign countries. We will bring the newest modern technologies to our lands by creating new financial resources. One would have to be either blind or stupid not to understand the cunning of foreign states who brought the old technologies to us by giving us conveniences. The Germans, the French, the British, and the Americans are trying to sell these weapons factories in their hands to underdeveloped countries by giving them long terms. Because they are busy building factories that can make more modern ones and more effective ones. We do not need the outdated technologies of friendly enemy countries. Either we build the newest one and compete with them, or we wait a little longer and wait for us to reach the power to do it”. He drew attention to the fact that they sell outdated and outdated technologies to underdeveloped countries.

TOMTAŞ and Others:

With the agreement signed between the Turkish Government and the German-Junkers Aircraft Factory on 15 August 1925, TOMTAŞ (Aircraft and Motor Türk Anonim Şirketi) Aircraft Factory was established in Kayseri, where large-scale maintenance of aircraft and aircraft production will be carried out. With the same agreement, a small-scale repair shop and facilities were established in Eskişehir, where assembly, minor maintenance and repair will be carried out. TOMTAŞ was put into service with an official ceremony on October 6, 1926, and aircraft production began in 1927. When the Republic was founded, the country, which was deprived of producing pins, took an enterprising and miraculous step to become the aircraft factory in Kayseri, 2-3 years after its establishment. Atatürk, the future target of the Turkish Air Warfare Industry: “We have to keep the promise we made to İsmet İnönü at Yeşilköy Airport. We cannot jeopardize our future by losing more of our money and our future to foreigners. We will make our own aircraft. We will make our own spare parts. We cannot fail the hope of the nation in this matter”. on 1 November 1937; “I wish my army to be in a position to compete with civilized countries in the field of military aviation. I believe that our aviators are and will be far superior to Western country aviators in terms of courage and knowledge. Our main goals are to build airplane factories and to establish factories that will make spare parts for airplanes. From now on, it is imperative that all our aircraft and engines be built in our country and that our air warfare industry should be developed on this basis.” pointed to the construction of completely domestic aircraft and engines. For this purpose, in 1941 and 1948, the Turkish Aeronautical Association Etimesgut Aircraft and Engine Factory was established to manufacture single-engine trainer aircraft to be used in the beginning and future periods, and aircraft, aircraft engines and gliders were produced in many different types and designs. From the establishment of the Republic of Turkey until the closing of the aircraft and engine factories in 1952, 598 aircraft and 194 gliders were produced for the Turkish Air Force, Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Aeronautical Association, repair, revision and factory level maintenance of 318 aircraft and 308 engines were carried out.

Turkish Aviation Competing with Its Age:

Turkey; It has to give importance to the Air War Industry in order to create a strong and effective Air Force in order to protect its geopolitical and geostrategic position, the elements of national power and the realization of its national goal. Expansionist and colonialist states from history to the present have not given up on their ambitions. In order to realize these goals, they aim to reach the target by cooperating with terrorist organizations. Turkish aviation, which draws its strength from the support and will of its nation, is experiencing the rightful honor and pride of leaving behind its 111th year in 2022, on its glorious and honorable journey that it started in 1911. Since the establishment of the Republic, Turkish Air War Industry has been making efforts and efforts to provide all kinds of technical and logistic support, including the design and production of air and space vehicles and their sub-systems. In this context; In 1984, TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries Corporation) was established for the production, final assembly and testing of the F-16 in order to meet the fighter aircraft needs of the Turkish Air Force, and the first step was taken in the aviation industry. Again, in TAI; Production and testing of the light transport aircraft CASA CN-235 has begun. Cougar Helicopter and SF-260 training aircraft were produced with the experiment, experience and infrastructure gained from the production of these 2 aircraft by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ). ATAK Helicopter procurement program was initiated with all kinds of hardware and software compatibility on the helicopter. JSF (Joint Strike Fighter), which has superior features as a new generation fighter aircraft, was responsible for the advanced technology structural components and mid-body manufacturing of the F-35, but this production has been stopped due to recent developments. With the production of the A-400 M Light Transport aircraft, which can reach every point in the world where it is needed, it has gained strategic transfer capability. In order to meet the needs of aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, all of which were designed by TAI, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SİHA) were started to fly in the skies with domestic production.

Conclusion:

In the 100th anniversary of the Republic, TAI should be at the desired level as an air and space power competing with its age by moving its aviation knowledge, education and experience to higher levels. It should produce national warplanes with high technology in accordance with the requirements of the age needed for the Air War Industry. With the experience and knowledge in the SF-260 training aircraft, the production of the initial training aircraft KT-1T, which the Air Force needs, should be continued. The first step in the production of aircraft should be taken with the project HÜRKUŞ, the Basic Trainer, and the HÜRJET, the new generation fighter aircraft. In order to create effective air and space power, a joint project should be produced by working in coordination with TUSAŞ, TEİ, THK, TSK, HAVELSAN and ASELSAN institutions and organizations with the trained manpower trained in the Aerospace Engineering of universities. With this union of forces, it should be aimed to create an elite Turkish Air Force, of which the nation is proud, that can make its presence felt not only in the region where it is located, but also in every region of the world, and that can successfully fulfill all missions as a guarantee of peace in the region and in the world. “Build Your Own Aircraft”, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk tried to implement and on the path he showed, will be able to be built in the “Future Skies” in the field of Space and Air Warfare Industry. It will have the strength and structure to eliminate threats to the independence of the Republic of Turkey, to the indivisible integrity of the country, to the honor and glory of the great Turkish Nation, to an inch of land.

TATAR, Cengiz, “İstikbal Göklerdedir” Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK ve Türk Havacılığı, Galeati Yayıncılık, Ankara, 2021.

TATAR, Cengiz, Türk Havacılık Tarihi (1909-1954), Doktora Tezi, 2018.

Türk Hava Kuvvetleri İnternet Sitesi, www.hvkk.tsk.tr, Erişim Tarihi:20-30 Mayıs 2022.