Türkiye’s senior military ranks rebuilt over decade

ANKARA

Türkiye has reassigned 205 generals and admirals across its land, naval and air forces under presidential decisions published in the Official Gazette.

The decisions, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take effect on Aug. 30.

They cover 123 Land Forces generals, 38 Naval Forces admirals and 44 Air Force generals.

The appointments follow the Supreme Military Council meeting on Aug. 4, which promoted 25 generals and admirals to the next rank and elevated 69 colonels to general or admiral.

The number of generals and admirals will rise from 328 to 334.

The senior officer corps has been rebuilt over the past decade after falling to 206 following dismissals in the wake of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

Shortly before the coup, the three armed services had 325 generals and admirals, or 358 when the gendarmerie and coast guard were included.

Among the principal Land Forces appointments, Lt. Gen. Zorlu Topaloğlu will leave command of the 2nd Army to head the Aegean Army, while Lt. Gen. Gültekin Yaralı will take over the 2nd Army.

Lt. Gen. Burhan Aktaş was appointed commander of the 3rd Army, and Lt. Gen. Ertan İnaltekin will lead the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus.

Vice Adm. Rafet Oktar was named commander of the Amphibious Corps, Vice Adm. Mustafa Kaya deputy fleet commander and Vice Adm. Erhan Aydın chief of staff of the Naval Forces.

In the Air Force, Gen. Erdoğan Gür was appointed to head the Combat Air Force Command.

Brig. Gen. Alper Gezeravcı, Türkiye’s first astronaut, will take command of the 5th Main Jet Base.

Separately, Senior Col. Veysel Ergün, commander of the gendarmerie unit responsible for security on İmralı Island, was appointed provincial gendarmerie commander in Eskişehir.