Anatolian Eagle 25-2

Twelve Aviano-based F-16s deployed to Konya for Anatolian Eagle 25-2

Report and photos by Robin Polderman

The international edition of Anatolian Eagle took place, once again, at the central Turkish airbase of Konya between 23 June and 4 July 2025.

Hosted by the Turkish Air Force, the Anatolian Eagle multinational exercise delivers advanced, high-tempo combat training designed to improve interoperability. The exercise scenario incorporated a number of lessons learned, and conclusions drawn, from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sadly, a number of interesting participants cancelled their involvement in the exercise, some at the last minute. Pakistani Air force jets, along with Oman and Egypt F-16s, did not make it to Konya for various reasons. Hopefully next year their participation will materialize.

One of Anatolian Eagle’s key enablers is Airborne Command and Control, this time in the shape of a NATO E-3A Sentry deployed from Germany as well as the locally based E-7T Peace Eagles of the 131 Grup. These assets enable integrated battle management in contested airspace, and have been key players during Anatolian Eagle in previous iterations.  

The Turkish E-7T fleet is very active during the exercise. This example carries special markings on the fuselage.

Anatolian Eagle 25-2 saw the participation of the following:

-          Azerbaijan (Su-25)

-          Hungary (JAS39C/D)

-          Jordan (F-16AM/BM)

-          NATO (E-3A AWACS)

-          Qatar (EF2000A)

-          Saudi Arabia (F-15SA)

-          United States Air Forces in Europe (F-16C/D).

Proudly displaying the Turkish flag, an F-16D from the hometeam (132 Filo) gets airborne

The Turkish Air Force, as the exercise host, provided the majority of players including the earlier mentioned E-7T, ample F-16C/Ds from various squadrons and, operating from their respective home bases, KC-135 tankers and a variety of UAVs.

Military personnel in the form of observers came from Malaysia, Oman, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. In total, more than a 1000 military personnel and 70+ military aircraft, which flew more than 400 sorties, participated.

A pair of Azerbaijani Su-25 Frogfoots

The first Anatolian Eagle took place in 2001 to simulate air warfare scenarios in the context of national and multinational training (loosely based on the USAF’s Red Flag model). The choice was made to host the exercise at Konya, due to the fact this air base is located on the edge of the vast Konya plain in Central Anatolia; a sparsely populated flat basin and therefore the perfect location for a big exercise that needs lots of airspace.

The exercise area roughly measures 100 nautical miles in length and 95 nautical miles in width. At the Konya air base, a large auditorium for briefings was constructed, along with a command-and-control center as well as four separate buildings for the participant’s needs.

Anatolian Eagle is an exercise with both NATO and non-NATO participants; the exercise provides NATO-standard training (allowing non-NATO countries to familiarize themselves with NATO benchmarks) while promoting interoperability among participating units.

Or, as the Konya Air Base Commander, Major General Mete Kuş, put it: ”the Anatolian Eagle is not just a training exercise, but also a multinational declaration of will to maintain regional stability”.

An elephant walk was performed during the photoday including a couple of Qatari Eurofighters

This year’s exercise included a few firsts for Anatolian Eagle.

A so-called Crisis Phase was implemented, a fictional scenario which developed as the exercise evolved. This phase was simulated in actual flight to train preventive air operations planning, set rules of engagement and practice deterrent techniques. This scenario emphasized preparations for a peace keeping role before the outbreak of all-out war.

The second innovation during this iteration of Anatolian Eagle was cruise missile interceptor training. For the first time in the history of the exercise, the Blue Forces carried out a pre-emptive operation to neutralize a large number of simulated cruise missile threats. This scenario tested the joint reflex capabilities of the Turkish Air Force and allied elements against asymmetric missile attacks that are likely to be encountered in modern day warfare against (near-)peer competitors.

Three Hungarian Gripens participated in the final week of the exercise

Last but not least, Manned-unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) made its entry onto the Anatolian Eagle stage as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were used in the bomber role while being escorted by conventional manned fighter aircraft. The Bayraktar Akıncı, Akıncı S and TAI ANKA-3 UAVs, developed by the Turkish defense industry, were used in this part of the exercise scenario. It showcased the technology-based transformation capacity of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish defense industry, with the latter having developed itself as one of the key players on the global market when it comes to the production of high-end UAVs. These innovations showcase how, over the years, the exercise scenario closely follows real time events and incorporates lessons learned, to provide the right training in preparing an air force for the operational environment of tomorrow.

Many thanks to the Turkish Air Force Public Affairs Office for the chance to visit AE 25-2.