Turkish Stars celebrate 20th anniversary

Özgür Ekşi ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

The ‘Turkish Stars’ celebrated its 20th anniversary with a show in central Konya. DAILY NEWS photo

The Turkish Air Forces’ aerobatics team, the “Turkish Stars,” celebrated its 20th anniversary with a show in Konya, although the death of eight soldiers in Hakkari in southeastern Turkey overshadowed the show.

The Chief of General Staff and all force commanders had been planned to attend to show, but Chief of General Staff Necdet Özel, Land Forces Commander Hayri Kıvrıkoğlu and Commander of Gendarmerie Bekir Kalyoncu did not attend the show. Air Forces Commander Mehmet Erten and Navy Commander admiral Emin Murat Bilgel attended the show.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, General Erten explained that they had gone to Hakkari to investigate the terrorist attack. A source from the Turkish Stars Team stated that they had learned about the attack at 6 o’clock in the morning and debated for a long time whether to cancel the celebrations. “We decided to go on with the show, but we have no feelings of joy as we are sorry due to loss,” Erten said.
Meanwhile, Anatolian Eagle training also took place yesterday. Participants from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and NATO countries attended the air to air fight training.