🇹🇷 İncirlik Air Base

İncirlik Air Base (IATA: UAB, ICAO: LTAG) is a Turkish air base located in the Sarıçam district of Adana, Turkey, approximately 10 km east of the city center. It is a medium-sized military airport with one runway (05/23) measuring 3048x45m.

Notable Features and History:

• The decision to build the base was made in 1943, with construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beginning in 1951.
• Initially, the U.S. Air Force planned to use it as an emergency staging and recovery site for bombers.
• A joint-use agreement between the Turkish General Staff and the U.S. Air Force was signed in December 1954, and the base was officially named Adana Air Base in February 1955. It was renamed Incirlik Air Base in February 1958.
• Incirlik served as a primary U-2 operating location until May 1960.
• Throughout its history, Incirlik has been crucial for countering the Soviet threat, responding to Middle East crises, and supporting humanitarian operations.
• It has served as a significant hub for U.S. military operations, including supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn, and acting as an air-bridge for disaster relief efforts.
• The base has hosted Patriot missile batteries to augment Turkey's air defense capabilities.

Current Status: As of July 2026, the runway 05/23 is closed to traffic, except for emergency, ambulance, scramble, operation, and VIP traffic. Additionally, maintenance capabilities are reduced to ground servicing tasks, debrief, and MOCC, with no maintenance support expected during certain hours and no maintenance capabilities expected after September 30, 2026. Overflight and landing permits are conditional and require lead times.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, incirlik.af.mil, globalsecurity.org, dataskycenter.com*