No Special Operations Bases in Turkey, Pentagon Officials Say
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012 – The United States will not base more troops in Turkey, Pentagon officials said here today.
“Reports about additional U.S. force presence in Turkey are false,” said Navy Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. “We have had no such discussions with the Turkish government.”
News reports over the past days have said the United States wanted to base special operations forces in Turkey. This is not true, Pentagon officials said.
The United States has about 5,000 personnel based at Incirlik Air Base, an area shared with Turkish Air Force units. It is the largest U.S. military presence in the country.
Turkey is an important NATO ally. “The United States military deeply values its close relationship with the armed forces of Turkey, one of our closest allies and NATO partners,” Kirby said.