United States | Wire to Turkey

[Odinson]

---

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE​

---

ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

TO: Turhan Tayan, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye ( Jay )

FROM: Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America

Minister Tayan,

I am reaching out to you at the direction of the White House. I am aware, as I know that you are too, that the United States and Türkiye have taken numerous steps to not only standardize relations between our countries, but form a strong friendship between our governments. I am reaching out to you in the hopes that we can take another step. The Air Force has a vested interest in permanently stationing an Air Mobility Squadron of refueling aircraft at Incirlik Air Base. Is this something that your Ministry, and your government, would be willing to consider? In return for permitting the Air Force to operate these units out of Incirlik, the Air Force would also be willing to establish a joint long-range radar facility Türkiye for the detection of ballistic missiles and aircraft.

I look forward to hearing back from you.​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
​

​