United States | Wire to Turkey

[Odinson]

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE​

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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
​

​

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Defense < Odinson > [Sender]: Minister of National Defense, Türkiye < TTTayanMSB@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary Gate, Thank you for your email. I've been informed of the number of efforts undertaken by our respective governments to intensify our partnership and to form a strong friendship between our two countries. We previously discussed something similar to this latest proposal in my email exchange earlier this year. My Government is definitely interested in a joint long-range radar facility and would find the use of Incirlik by the U.S. to be acceptable. We would be happy to discuss this in person or through your preferred communication system. As I echoed in my previous email, please know that I, and many within our government, view the United States as Türkiye’s natural friend. Whether it be American or Turkish servicemembers, as long as I serve as Minister, I will do my utmost to ensure that our cooperation reflects the spirit of brotherhood that has long bound our nations before the crises that preceded our government. With the assurances of my highest consideration, Turhan Tayan Minister of National Defense Republic of Türkiye

 

[Odinson]

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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,

The United States is interested in establishing a long-range radar base at Incirlik as well as establishing a permanent presence of the United States Air Force there. This would not only help your government monitor potential foreign threats to your nation, but also significantly increase the military and political relationships between the United States and Türkiye. If this is something that your government would be willing to accept, then I would be more than happy to bring a memorandum of understanding to the President for his consideration. I am sure that you understand that the United States significantly values its relationship with Türkiye, and that we see exceptional advantages for both countries when it comes to military cooperation.​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
​

​

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Defense < Odinson > [Sender]: Minister of National Defense, Türkiye < TTTayanMSB@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary Gate, Thank you for your email. The opportunity to intensify our bilateral security cooperation is a top priority of my office. My Government would support a premanent U.S. presence in Incirlik Air Base. Currently the Turkish Air Defense Command operates out of the facility maintaining Türkiye's early-warning and anti-missile capabilities. I am pleased to reiterate that my Government views favorably the prospect of a permanent United States presence at Incirlik Air Base, as well as the establishment of a joint long-range radar facility. We believe such cooperation would strengthen both Türkiye's defensive capabilities and the broader strategic partnership between our countries. To that end, if it would be of interest to your Government, I would be pleased to authorize General Akın Öztürk, Commander of the Turkish Air Defense Command, to travel to Washington at a mutually convenient time to meet with his American counterparts and discuss the technical aspects of the proposed arrangements. As always, please know that Türkiye highly values its friendship with the United States and remains committed to expanding our cooperation in ways that serve the interests and security of both nations. With the assurances of my highest consideration, Turhan Tayan Minister of National Defense Republic of Türkiye

 

[Odinson]

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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,

That is excellent to hear. While General Öztürk would certainly be welcomed here, I think it may be more fitting to send representatives from the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the State Department to Türkiye. After all, this facility would be on your turf. If that is acceptable, then these are the following individuals that we will send as part of an American delegation authorized by the State Department and the Department of Defense to negotiate an agreement between the United States government and Türkiye:

Brooke West, Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
Alex Collins, Deputy Secretary of The Air Force for International Affairs
Lieutenant Colonel John Archer, Commander of the U.S. Air Force 3rd Space Wing​

Very Respectfully,

Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense​

​

 

[Jay]

Dışişleri Bakanlığı Ministry of Foreign Affairs​

AUTHENTIC COMMUNIQUE OF THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Security Clearance: Secure and Encrypted ŞİFRELEME KORUMASI: KAPLUĞA​

[Recipient]: Secretary of Defense < Odinson > [Sender]: Minister of National Defense, Türkiye < TTTayanMSB@tr.gov > [Subject]: Confidential // Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary Gate, Thank you for your email. We would be happy to welcome you to Adana to conduct negotiations for a status of forces agreement for U.S. forces to be stationed at Incirlik. The appropriate visas and documents will be provided for your delegation. The Turkish delegation will be made up of: Yaprak Alp Deputy, Deputy Foreign Minister Security and Strategic Affairs Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Defense Minister Strategic Policy General Akın Öztürk, Commander of Air Defense Command I look forward for a mutually beneficial outcome of these conversations. Turhan Tayan Minister of National Defense Republic of Türkiye

 

[Odinson]

Private​

Under Secretary Brooke West, Deputy Secretary Alex Collins, and Lieutenant Colonel John Archer obtained the appropriate paperwork and securely submitted it through the appropriate channels to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The three Americans flew together, along with a small team as well as four Diplomatic Security Service Agents, on a flight privately chartered by the Department of Defense to Istanbul and then to (presumably) Ankara to meet with the Turkish entourage. Under Secretary West was to lead the negotiations while Deputy Secretary Collins and Lieutenant Colonel Archer were to provide technical expertise and other information necessary for deciding the fine intricacies of an American presence in Türkiye. The DSS Agents would travel everywhere with the American delegation and ensure that they were never alone.

Jay

 

[Jay]

PRIVATE
​

As the vehicle approached to the Ministry of National Defense, the long, pale walls of the estate gleaming softly in the morning light. The Turkish flag fluttered above the main roof. As the lead vehicle slowed before the exterior security gate, two uniformed DMKK officer wearing their distinctive digital camo uniforms and armored vests stepped forward. One approached the vehicle, scanning the license plate with a handheld device while the scond watched. While the vehicle crossed through the gate, its tires rolled over an underground bomb detection scanner, a matte-black slab set into the pavement, bristling with sensors.

On the far side of the gates, the palace’s wide front lawn stretched out like a manicured carpet, flanked by stone pathways and lines of tulips. The vehicle curved around the circular drive and came to a stop before a tall flight of white steps, at the top of which stood Levent Gümrükçü, the Deputy Defense Minister in a navy-blue suit with a thin burgundy tie, hands folded at his front.

When the doors opened Gümrükçü would extend his hand.

“Welcome to Ankara,” Gümrükçü said in an English accent laced with Turkish, “It’s a pleasure to finally host you here and discuss ways we can rebuild our defense relationships.” He smiled as he motioned for them to follow him.

They entered the palace through the guest entrance, a private hall lined with traditional Turkish tiles and soft recessed lighting. Just inside, a sleek scanner portal stood under a gold-framed portrait of Atatürk. A DMKK officer manned the adjacent security booth, flanked by two more officers stationed beside the magnetometer. After entering the main hall the facility was bustling with Turkish military and civilian personnel. For Collins and Lt. Col. Archer it would be reminscent of the Pentagon.

The DSS agents, briefed ahead of time, approached the side table where secure firearm lockers had been prepared if they wished to use them. If so, the agents would need to lock their sidearms and sign an entry log.

Two military officers, both bearing the silver crescent insignia of the protection service, and four members of the military police stepped forward. Captain Demir Oztürk stepped forward and waved thrm through.

Once security formalities were completed, the group was led through a side corridor into the meeting room, its high ceilings and deep mahogany trim that shinned under the crystal chandelier. A tea service had been discreetly placed on the sideboard, untouched. Along with it an assortment of Turkish sweets including Turkish delight, cookies, and shortbreads.

Inside was the rest of the Turkish delegation. Yaprak Alp Deputy a shorter woman in a black dress with white edges and General Akın Öztürk a greyhaired air force officer stoopd up to greet the Americans.

Gümrükçü motioned to the tea service “Would you care for some çay?” Gümrükçü offered. “Or perhaps Turkish coffee before we begin?" If accepted an seervice aide would pour their preferred drink of choice as the Turks took their seats sitting across from the Americans.

Odinson