ANKARA/WASHINGTON
The U.S. deployed fighter aircraft to the strategic Incirlik airbase early Sunday morning in a bid to ramp up the air campaign against Daesh.
The contingent includes six F-16 "Fighting Falcons" and 300 American personnel from the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, U.S. European Command said in a statement.
"The United States and Turkey, as members of the 60-plus nation coalition, are committed to the fight against ISIL [Daesh] in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region," the command said.
Turkish officials also told Anadolu Agency that the contingent included a C-5 transport plane plus a KC-135 refueling aircraft.
Incirlik has been opened to U.S. forces, in agreement with the Turkish government, for expanded operations against Daesh targets.
Last month, Turkey agreed to allow U.S.-led coalition forces to launch airstrikes against Daesh positions from Incirlik, which is located close to Turkey’s border with war-torn Syria.
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