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Türkiye's aerobatic team wows Belgian Air Force Days crowd

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency
June 28, 2026 02:15 PM GMT+03:00

Turk Yildizlari opened the show at Florennes Air Base by flying seven NF-5 Freedom Fighter jets during Belgian Air Force Days.

Their display lasted about 45 minutes, making them the longest-performing team at the event and earning steady applause from thousands in the crowd.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

Turk Yildizlari's NF-5 Freedom Fighter jets flew in tight formations across the Belgian sky. 

Their maneuvers were announced in English, French, Flemish, and Turkish as a thoughtful gesture to the host nation's bilingual audience and Türkiye's international partners at Florennes.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

After landing, the pilots received an immediate response from the crowd. Turkish and foreign visitors lined up to meet the team once the display ended.

For several crew members, including Second Lieutenant Mehmet Cihad Karadutlu and Second Lieutenant Ahmed Berkalp Bilgi, this was their first international performance at Florennes.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels, Baris Tantekin, attended the event with Consul General Onur Sevim and Belgian military officials.

Tantekin mentioned that about 300,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium watched the display with special interest.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

After the performance, Squadron Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kursat Komur spoke to reporters. He said the display represents both the Turkish nation and Türkiye's armed forces

He explained that the team's goal on international tours is to show Turkish military capability to allied and friendly nations.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

Team Leader Lieutenant Colonel Hasan Kocabas called Turk Yildizlari Türkiye's national team of the skies.'

He confirmed the crew would repeat the display on the event's second day before heading home.

Major Mehmet Kilic thanked the diaspora families who attended with their children, even in the heat.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

Press and Public Relations Officer Second Lieutenant Fatih Saglam said the mission at Florennes is about more than aerobatics.

The team also uses the event to show the Turkish military's broader capabilities to a NATO-allied audience in Western Europe.

Anadolu Agency
By Anadolu Agency

At the end of the event, signed photographs from Turk Yildizlari were presented to Ambassador Tantekin, Consul General Sevim, and senior commanders.

Tantekin pointed to last month's economic mission to Türkiye, led by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, as proof of growing cooperation between the two countries in defense, energy, and digital sectors.