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Turkish F-16 fighter jets stationed at Qatar's Dukhan Air Base have surpassed 1,000 flight hours, marking a critical milestone in military cooperation between Türkiye and Qatar, according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
The Qatari-Turkish Combined Joint Task Force Command (KTBMK) Air Element Command, operating under the joint force structure, completed its 1,000th flight hour while conducting training exercises with Qatari Armed Forces aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and F-15 fighters.
The achievement represents the culmination of intensive joint training activities aimed at enhancing Qatar's defense capabilities through bilateral military cooperation.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense statement, "The Qatar Turkish Combined Joint Force (KTBMK) Air Element Command, stationed at Qatar Dukhan Base Command, completed its 1,000th flight hour.
The KTBMK Air Element Command conducts joint training and exercises with Eurofighter, Rafale, and F-15 aircraft alongside our F-16 aircraft stationed in Qatar to enhance the defense capabilities of the Qatari Armed Forces."
Turkish F-16s have been participating in joint training and exercises with aircraft from the Qatari Armed Forces inventory, directly contributing to the development of Qatar Air Force defense capabilities.
The high-tempo training activities have focused on tactical coordination between different NATO-standard aircraft platforms, improving both flight safety and operational capabilities.
The milestone comes as Türkiye and Qatar announced the establishment of a Turkish-Qatari Joint Fleet under the Combined Joint Force Command structure in Qatar back in 2024.
The joint fleet was announced following a visit by Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu to Qatar's Dukhan Air Base, where he met with Qatar Air Force Commander Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Mannai.
According to the Qatar Ministry of Defense statement, "Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu and his accompanying delegation visited the Turkish-Qatari Joint Fleet at Dukhan Air Base and met with Qatar Air Force Commander Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Mannai.
General Kadioglu examined the joint fleet's operations, training activities, and facilities."
The Turkish-Qatari Joint Fleet operates with Turkish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, while the Qatar Air Force contributes Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft to the joint operations.
Six Turkish F-16 fighter jets were deployed to Qatar on July 30, 2024, coinciding with the establishment of the Qatar Air Element Command. This deployment increased the Turkish Armed Forces' presence at the Tarik bin Ziyad Barracks under the Turkish-Qatar Combined Joint Force Command.
In addition to air assets, two Tuzla-class patrol boats from the Turkish Navy were also deployed to Qatar on July 26, 2024, following a ceremony at Aksaz Naval Base Command.
The 1,000 flight hours achievement demonstrates the intensive nature of joint training activities and the commitment of both countries to maintaining high operational readiness standards.
Through these joint operations, Turkish F-16s contribute to regional security while enhancing the professional capabilities of both Turkish and Qatari air force personnel.
With air and naval element commands now fully operational, Türkiye aims to expand joint knowledge, experience, and capability sharing through continued cooperation, training exercises, and joint operations with the Qatari Armed Forces.
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