Turkey Takes Charge of Kabul Airport

AP ^ | 6/30/2002 | n/a

[a_Turk]

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Turkey, the only Muslim NATO member, took command Sunday of the strategic Kabul airport, the key lifeline for the Afghan capital and international peacekeepers stationed in this war-ravaged country.

Turkish air force Col. Kazem Ondul accepted command from Britain of the 2,453-member international force stationed at the airport. Britain is expected to scale back its forces in Afghanistan.

On June 20, Turkey — an historic Afghan ally — took command of the 19-nation peacekeeping mission in the capital.

``Our mission is to run and maintain the airport up to international standards and one day return it over to the Afghan control,'' said Ondul during the formal handover ceremony which included flyovers by two helicopters and inspection of the Royal Air Force and Turkish troops.

The large airport, which was closed during the Taliban rule, was heavily damaged during the Afghan civil war in the early 1990s and the Soviet occupation in the late 1980s. More than 50,000 mines still cover the airfield's perimeters, outgoing British commander, Capt. Graham Stacy said.

He said that when the Royal Air Force arrived at the airfield in January this year with an advance party, ``we were faced with a bare, desolate and bombed airfield.''

Since April, the buildings and operating surfaces were cleared of more than 800 unexploded bombs and mines, the craters were filled in and electricity, doors and windows were restored to the buildings, Stacy said.

``On the first day we started with nothing,'' Stacy said. ``Within three days, first strategic aircraft started landing.''

``Mines are still a major problem, but it will take months rather than weeks for the mines to be cleared,'' he said.

``This airport has been like a child to us, and its not easy to give your child to other hands,'' Stacy said, adding: ``But we know we are leaving it to the vary capable'' Turkish air force.

Turkey has had close ties with Afghanistan since King Amanullah invited in the Turks during the 1920s to help his army, and Washington is keen to promote majority-Muslim Turkey as a secular, democratic role model for Afghanistan. The United States is also eager to show that its war against terrorism has Muslim allies and is not a struggle between the West and Islam.

The size of the Turkish contingent in Afghanistan increased to 1,400, making it the largest group in the more than 4,000-strong international force. Germany has the second largest at 1,200 troops. Turkey is expected to hold command for a six-month term that could be extended.

[a_Turk]

Turkish soldiers, part of the International Peacekeeping Force (ISAF) guard the airport during the handover ceremony in Kabul military airport June 30, 2002. Surrounded by about 50,000 unexploded Soviet mines and watched over from building tops by marksmen, the British Royal air Force on Sunday handed control Kabul's military airport to Turkey. REUTERS/Beawiharta


British soldiers take down a British flag while two helicopters fly overhead, during the handover ceremony at Kabul airport, Afghanistan, Sunday, June 30, 2002. Turkey, the only Muslim NATO member, took command Sunday of the strategic Kabul airport, the key lifeline for the Afghan capital and international peacekeepers stationed in this war-ravaged country. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)


Turkish and British commanders reveal the symbol of Turkish Air Force, a black eagle, during the handover ceremony in Kabul airport, Afghanistan, Sunday, June 30, 2002. Turkey, the only Muslim NATO member, took command Sunday from British troops of the strategic Kabul airport, the key lifeline for the Afghan capital and international peacekeepers stationed in this war-ravaged country. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

[a_Turk]

ping

[cmsgop]

Great News!

If one Country can show the way it's the Turks!

[VOA]

Turkish soldiers, part of the International Peacekeeping Force (ISAF) guard the airport...

Message to local Taliban/Al-Quida sympathizers.
Don't screw with these guys.
You don't want to have to attack, then retreat over 50,000 mines.

Besides, they'll kick your butt at soccer as well (re: Turkish 3rd place in World Cup).

[terilyn]

I love the black eagle! Could you please add me to your ping list?

Thanks much!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Well done, Turkey! Thank you, again! (Those guys look tough - and no nonsense! GOOD!)

[sistergoldenhair]

``This airport has been like a child to us, and its not easy to give your child to other hands,'' Stacy said, adding: ``But we know we are leaving it to the vary capable'' Turkish air force.

This is quite a statement of support.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We will pray for their success and safety with all our hearts!!!!

[WaterDragon]

Great photos! Thanks for putting them up. The Turks are professional, highly disciplined and experienced dealing with tribal terrorism. I hope the Afghans are welcoming them. Surely the al-Qaeda are not. The war against the al-Qaeda is far from over in Afghanistan.

[McGavin999]

This is good news. I hope the Afghans will emulate the Turks. (BTW, those are some nice looking soldiers!)

[FreedomPoster]

I remember my Dad talking about the Turks in the base down the road from his in Korea in the early 60's (yes, the Turks were our allies back then, too). Apparently, theft by the Korean locals was a real problem for the U.S. Army. The Turks solved this problem at their base by nailing the first thief caught in the act to their base entrance gate. Word got around, and they henceforth didn't have a theft problem (which persisted at the U.S. base).

The point to this long-winded anecdote: Don't mess with the Turks; they know how to effectively deal with problems.

[JAWs]

Why should a bird that can't fly take over an airport?

<G>

[SpookBrat]

[Constitutions Grandchild]

The troops look strong and capable. I gather they are even more able than most to take care of themselves, but my prayers are still that each and every one comes home safe and sound. May thanks to God are that they are ready, willing and able to lead the way. May God prosper them in all they do and may they lead the way to a better life for all their Muslim brothers and sisters.

[Steve0113]

I've heard of that being done right here in this country. A guy was caught stealing tools from tradesmen at a construction site. The tradesmen didn't call the police; they just nailed his hand to a wall and left him there (multiple nails). I don't know how he finally got free, but he was never seen around there again.