International Anatolian Phoenix Exercise 2026 Successfully Concluded: Enhancing Multinational Personnel Recovery Capabilities in a Complex Operational Environment

The International Anatolian Phoenix 2026 Exercise was conducted between April 6 and 17, 2026, at the Anatolian Eagle Training Center Command, hosted by the 3rd Main Jet Base Command, with the participation of both national and international elements.

Since 2009, the Anatolian Phoenix Exercises have been conducted at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya to train Personnel Recovery (PR) Task Force elements in a realistic operational environment and to enhance the level of experience required by both current and future operational scenarios. Since 2012, the Exercise has been conducted with international participation.

To date, a total of 365 aircraft and 8,795 personnel from 15 different countries have participated in the Anatolian Phoenix Exercises, during which 1,816 sorties have been carried out.

Anatolian Phoenix 2026

The Distinguished Observer and Press Day of the exercise was held on April 14. The program commenced with a briefing delivered by Colonel Hakan Girgin, Command of the Personnel Recovery and Forward Air Controller (FAC) Group at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command. Approximately fifty local and international media representatives attended the briefing.

The International Anatolian Phoenix 2026 Exercise aims to test and further develop command and control processes within the scope of Personnel Recovery (PR) operations, while enhancing interoperability between PR Task Force elements, including helicopters, JTAC, PR, and CSAR teams, and other Air Force assets such as fighter aircraft, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms, transport/utility aircraft, and UAVs. In addition, the exercise seeks to improve Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) capabilities and to increase the overall training level of participating aircrew. Another key objective is to identify capability gaps and operational requirements related to Personnel Recovery missions, including doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, personnel, and infrastructure. Within this framework, Joint and/or Combined missions such as Personnel Recovery (PR), Close Air Support (CAS), Dynamic Targeting (DT), and Time-Sensitive Targeting (TST) are executed to test new tactics, techniques, procedures, as well as weapons and equipment, while also assessing interoperability levels and cooperation opportunities with participating nations.

The exercise is conducted over a vast training area, exceeding the airspace size of some countries. The western sector is predominantly mountainous, with elevations ranging between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. This area is primarily used for infiltration and exfiltration (Infil/Exfil) missions and is suitable for parachute operations. Beyşehir Lake, also located in the western sector, enables the simulation of air-sea rescue scenarios.

In contrast, the eastern sector is largely flat, with an average elevation of approximately 4,000 feet, and is used to simulate desert-type operational environments. The Electronic Warfare Training Center and the firing range are also located in this area. Additionally, the Seydi area in the south features steep mountainous terrain with deep valleys at altitudes exceeding 8,000 feet, providing a suitable environment for high-altitude CSAR and CAS missions. All training areas are located within a radius of approximately 70 nautical miles from the main base.

The Konya Firing Range also hosts the EHTEM (Elektronik Harp Test Merkezi - Electronic Warfare Test Center), enabling the execution of missions under intense electronic warfare conditions and simulated enemy air defense threats. The systems used as representative enemy air defense threats include ZSU-23-4, SA-3, SA-6, SA-8, SA-11, SA-12, Skyguard, and MTS (Multiband Threat Simulator) for pop-up threats. In addition, the KORAL Ground-Based Stand-Off Jammer System (produced by Aselsan) is employed to simulate electronic warfare effects, allowing the jamming of adversary aircraft radars and air defense systems.

Distinguished Observer Day Scenario

As part of the exercise scenario, tensions between the Blue Country and the Red Country escalate, with intelligence reports indicating that the Red Country has deployed air defense systems and terrorist organization elements to the LTD-9 firing range area. In response, the Blue Country initiates an operation after completing the necessary preparations against the emerging threat.

At the initial stage of the operation, a cyber campaign is conducted against the Red Country. As part of this effort, a deceptive broadcast attributed to the Red Country’s president announces a ceasefire, an apology to the Blue Country, and the disarmament of all elements, including the termination of support to terrorist organizations.

Following this phase, JTAC teams were infiltrated into the operational area. The radar of the SA-12 (S-300) air defense system (identified as the most significant threat in the region) is detected and neutralized using METE missiles launched from both ground elements and UAVs. However, as the exact locations of the launcher units could not be determined, an AKSUNGUR UAV equipped with Super ŞİMŞEK was deployed. Launched from outside the engagement envelope of the SA-12 system, Super ŞİMŞEK simulates a fighter aircraft, triggering the system to lock on and engage. This allowed JTAC teams on the ground, in coordination with the AEW&C aircraft, to locate the precise coordinates of the air defense system.

In addition, the presence of SA-8 and ZSU-23-4 SHILKA air defense systems in the area were identified. The corresponding target coordinates were transmitted to F-16 formations conducting Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions in the safe zone, as well as to UAV elements. Initially, F-16 aircraft engaged the SA-12 system from a distance of 90 nautical miles using MK-82 munitions (simulating SOM stand-off missiles) and successfully neutralized the system. With the air defense threat partially suppressed, an AKINCI UAV subsequently destroyed the SA-8 system using TEBER-guided munitions. F-16 formations then targeted the ZSU-23-4 SHILKA system with LGK-82 munitions, establishing air superiority in the area.

To eliminate the Red terrorist elements in the region, swarm kamikaze drones launched from the safe zone and inflicted significant damage on hostile forces. A helicopter package deployed to capture a high-value target inserted Blue forces into the area via fast-rope. Following close-quarters combat, Red elements were neutralized, and the target individual was captured and evacuated from the area.

During the operation, an F-16 aircraft conducting CAP is forced to eject due to an engine failure. The location of the downed pilot is identified by a UAV using QuickDraw identification and relayed to the CSAR package on standby. The pilot reports enemy activity in the vicinity, prompting F-16 aircraft to suppress hostile elements with cannon fire, while friendly Su-25 aircraft continued to conduct air-to-ground strikes against emerging threats. Once the area is secured, the CSAR package entered the region, successfully recovered the pilot, and conducted a rapid extraction.

Concurrently with the CSAR operation, an intensified cyber offensive was carried out against the Red Country, including widespread disinformation campaigns across social media platforms aimed at disrupting command and control and influencing the local population.

Finally, the Anatolian Phoenix 2026 Exercise concluded with a parachute jump from a CASA transport aircraft carrying the flags of the participating nations.

Elements participating in the exercise this year

More than 519 participants from 5 countries, 116 of whom are foreigners, are participating in the exercise this year.

·         Turkish Air Forces Command with 8x F-16C/D, 1x E-7T, 2x CN-235M-100, 1x AS-532AL, 4x T-70 CSAR, 1x ANKA-S UAV, 1x AKINCI UAV, 1x AKSUNGUR and 1x SUPER SIMSEK & 10x JTAC Teams and 5x CSAR Teams,

·         Turkish Land Forces Command with 1x T-70, 1x CSAR Team,

·         Turkish Naval Forces Command with 2x CSAR & JTAC Teams,

·         Turkish Special Forces Command with 1x T-70 Helicopter and 1x SOF Team,

·         Gendarmerie General Command with 1x T-70 Helicopter and 1xCSAR Team,

·         United States of America with 1x CSAR & 3x JTAC Teams,

·         Azerbaijan with 2x SU-25 and 2x CSAR & 1x JTAC Teams,

·         Poland with 1x JTAC Team,

·         Slovakia with 1x JTAC Team.