Amen brother. Retired USAF here, and I landed and spent days and nights at Incrilik (and all over the Middle East) many times.
To be blunt, most of the Turks hated us. I never considered them part of NATO, because I considered Western Europe to be the real NATO. People forget that not too long ago, our real NATO allies backed us strongly. It wasn't like Europe of today (as you well know).
The oppressive, heavy feeling you felt is exactly what I experienced in most Middle East countries. I could not put my finger on it at the time, but today I completely believe it is spiritual in nature.
The Bible speaks of geographic areas and nations that are in the clutches of specific demonic beings. Daniel 10:13 is one example, describing how an angel had to contend with a demonic being who had control of Persia (Iran) before the angel could assist the prophet Daniel.
Ephesians 6:12 speaks of what we are up against.
You are most likely a very spiritually perceptive person.
Agree. I am familiar with the Prince of Persia story, from Daniel. By the way, many don’t realize that Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wrote a chapter in the book of Daniel. Judging from what he said after his 7 years in the field, I think it’s entirely possible, we might see him in the Kingdom.
I couldn’t put my finger on it either, but I am convinced now, it was definitely spiritual in nature. I felt the presence of evil in Turkey. I am sure I might have felt that way about other Middle East countries, but I was fortunate enough, that I never went to any others, and I was only at Incirlik for a week long TDY, to help them with their TERPS program.
I went to TERPS school at Keesler. It was the HARDEST, most difficult school I had ever attended in my entire life. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, from the moment I got there, till the moment I left. Once I got out into the field, however, I caught on pretty well. 👍