FOB Konya provides home for NATO AWACS

Courtesy Photo | Several NATO AWACS sit on the fligtline at Forward Operating Base Konya, Turkey, after the runway closure at the E-3A Component’s main operating base in Germany.  

42, TURKEY

08.28.2014

Courtesy Story

NATO E-3A Component

FOB KONYA, Afghanistan - Forward Operating Base (FOB) Konya is excited and honored to host fellow members of the E-3A Component during the Runway Restoration Project at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen.

On May 9, 2014, the E-3As left the main operating base (MOB) in Germany for a temporary duty location, so they could perform their operational and training sorties until the end of project.

Three of those E-3As found a home in Turkey and have been operating out of FOB Konya. As seen in the picture, on the very first day of the mission, the FOB welcomed them with a rainbow, one that was noted for its beauty and mystical appearance. As children, we are told there is a treasure at the end of rainbow and now, with the E-3As under the rainbow, this story comes true. The NATO AWACS are in safe hands and are being treated like treasure.

Before the deployment, FOB Konya was enthusiastic and looked forward to arrival of the NATO AWACSs because they would do something, which has never been done in its 31 years of history.

The personnel at FOB Konya believed in their ability to perform NAEW Force operations within and beyond the borders of NATO Alliance. Over the last three months, FOB Konya has proven their ability to sustain and support the mission successfully. During this period, 76 sorties (approximately 465 flying hours) were produced with flying colors.

Personnel from the MOB have given their invaluable support to the FOB. Together, they have combined their professionalism, reliability, accountability and integrity to work in harmony.

“During this period was a hard one, but working together with our worthy colleagues from MOB added our experience up and it turned out to be an easy one with their help,” says OR-9 Murat Sahin, flightline supervisor.

With deployments also comes the opportunity to develop a greater depth of knowledge.

“Sharing experiences, duties and responsibilities with each member of deployed personnel from different branches of Supply Squadron has enhanced our strength and performance,” says OR-8 Suleyman Eroglu, a supply specialist at the FOB. “I really appreciated working with those dedicated personnel.”

There is always an emotional cycle of every deployment. Many personnel have had deployed, at least one if not multiple times, to Afghanistan and/or the other FOBs/L. They left their home, family and everything they care about to give support to FOB Konya. In return, the FOB has everything it can to make them feel at home.

“To travel on TDY to FOB Konya is always a nice trip because the people are very friendly, helpful and most honest,” says B-5 Juergen Jaksche, flightline crew chief. “If you go through all the shops and hangar, you see these people have taken care about their job and work places. Also, the FOB is a nice place to stay and enjoy the facilities. You may find a peaceful environment to read a book. Altogether, I feel very welcomed and taken care.”

Also coinciding with the deployment was Ramadan, a time where the FOB showed their gratitude to God for His guidance by abstaining from eating and drinking. The FOB Commander, Lt. Col. Gurhan Tarman, held a Ramadan Iftar Dinner and Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller honored the FOB personnel by joining the dinner.

“Ramadan is a time of sharing, understanding and helping each other,” said Colonel Tarman. “We are very pleased to share our food with our colleagues and this is a very good opportunity for the deployed personnel to meet all the men, women and the families of the FOB.”

This is just a glimpse; every corner of the FOB has stories about this deployment. By working in an international environment, the personnel from Konya and Geilenkirchen have built a strong friendship and had an opportunity to understand each other’s cultures by interacting together. The nations of the Component have shown they can handle great difficulties by working as one.

Since the very first day of its establishment, FOB Konya has continued to maintain the same high level of support. With readiness and professionalism, FOB Konya has once again proved itself as an apple of E-3A Component’s eye.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2014
• Date Posted: 08.28.2014 04:48
• Story ID: 140624
• Location: 42, TR