Turkish Air Force

Turkish Air Force
Türk Hava Kuvvetleri
Emblem of the Turkish Air Force
Founded
    • 1 June 1911
    • (114 years)

  • 23 April 1920 (Turkish Air Force)
  • 31 January 1944 (Turkish Air Force Command, corps scale)
  • 1 July 1949 (Turkish Air Force Command, army scale)
Country Turkey
TypeAir force
Space force
RoleAerial warfare
Space warfare
Size50,000 personnel (2024)
294 aircraft
3 satellites
Part ofTAF
HeadquartersÇankaya, Ankara
Colours
  •   Grey
  •   White
  •   Delft Blue
MarchTurkish Air Force March Play
Mascot(s)Eagle
Anniversaries1 June
Engagements
Websitewww.hvkk.tsk.tr
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefPresident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Minister of DefenceYaşar Güler
Chief of the General StaffGeneral Metin Gürak
Air Force CommanderGeneral Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu
Chief of Air StaffLieutenant General Rafet Dalkıran
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Flag of Turkish Air Force Command
Aviator badge
Aircraft flown
AttackAkıncı, Aksungur, Anka-S
BomberF-4 Terminator
Electronic
warfare
C-160, CN-235, E-7T, Global 6000
FighterF-16C/D
Utility helicopterCougar, T-70, UH-1H
ReconnaissanceTB1
TrainerTAI Hürkuş, KT-1, SF-260, T-38, T-41
TransportA400M, C-130, CN-235, Citation
TankerBoeing KC-135 Stratotanker

The Turkish Air Force (Turkish: Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) is the air and space force of the Turkish Armed Forces. It traces its origins to 1 June 1911 when it was founded as the Aviation Squadrons by the Ottoman Empire. It was composed of the Army Aviation Squadrons founded in 1911, and the Naval Aviation Squadrons founded in 1914 which used seaplanes. The Air Force as a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces was founded by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on 23 April 1920.

As of 2023, according to International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Turkish Air Force has an active strength of 50,000 military personnel and operates approximately 295 manned fixed-wing aircraft, 35 helicopters, and 52 unmanned aerial vehicles.:143–144 In terms of aircraft quantity, it is the largest air force in Europe.:51 The world's first black pilot, Ahmet Ali Çelikten, the world's first female fighter pilot, Sabiha Gökçen, and the first female jet pilot accredited in NATO, Leman Altınçekiç, all served in the Turkish Air Force.