EUCOM hosts Turkish defense delegation for planning talks
We hosted this engagement in-person as we seek to increase approaches of mutually beneficial security cooperation with Türkiye, a critical NATO Ally. The relationship building that took place here on Patch Barracks was vital for furthering our mutual interests.
×
Photo 1 of 3
U.S.-Turkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks 2023
Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, Deputy Director for EUCOM’s J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate (left) and Brig. Gen. Tansel Cokuysal, head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Turkish General Staff, (right) led their respective delegations during the annual U.S.-Turkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.
Photo by: U.S. European Command J5
Photo 2 of 3
U.S.-Türkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks 2023
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Borda, a CH-47F Chinook crew chief, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB), supervises as relief supplies are unloaded from his aircraft in Elbistan, Türkiye on Feb. 14, 2023. The 1AD CAB provides dynamic lift capability in direct support of USAID and Turkish relief efforts, to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. Defense and disaster relief activities were just two of the topics covered during annual U.S.-Türkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.
Photo 3 of 3
U.S.-Turkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks 2023
A U.S. Marine assigned to Task Force 61/2, begins to unload humanitarian aid at Serinyol, Türkiye, Feb. 25, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing are tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquake. Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2) is operating under U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), and U.S. European Command as part of the International Turkish disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)
U.S. European Command hosted leaders from the Turkish General Staff and Ministry of National Defense from 13-15 June as part of annual U.S.-Türkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks that identify cooperative activities and coordinate resolution of political-military issues.
The discussions focused on deterrence and defense in the European theater of operations. The forum facilitates discussion between senior military leaders at EUCOM and Türkiye on ground, air, and maritime cooperation efforts as well as training exercises.
“Operational readiness across all domains begins with planning and coordination with our NATO Allies,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, Deputy Director for EUCOM’s J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate. “This meeting develops and refines the framework for mutually beneficial security cooperation between the United States and Türkiye.”
In addition to extensive discussion on combined training, the delegations also addressed educational and collaborative opportunities through diplomatic and military channels, identifying areas of support required to maintain operational readiness and interoperability between both nations’ militaries.
"The CPC has been an excellent opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues including bilateral, regional, and global affairs,” said Brig. Gen. Tansel Cokuysal, head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Turkish General Staff. “I’d also like to thank the Department of Defense for its response efforts to the February earthquakes in Türkiye and we appreciate all the support to provide relief to the people of Türkiye."
The 2023 CPC was the first iteration since 2018 and is a cornerstone of the United States-Türkiye military relationship. The engagement was very successful and produced a signed agreement with fifteen agreed-to actions.
“We hosted this engagement in-person as we seek to increase approaches of mutually beneficial security cooperation with Türkiye, a critical NATO Ally,” said Terrell. “The relationship building that took place here on Patch Barracks was vital for furthering our mutual interests.”
-30-
About USEUCOM
U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 65,000 permanent military personnel supported by rotational forces and DoD civilians working closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit www.eucom.mil.
×