Izmir Air Station

Izmir Air Station is a United States Air Force facility located in İzmir, Turkey, approximately 320 km (200 mi) SSW of Istanbul. The station serves as a support facility for U.S. and NATO entities in the İzmir area. U.S. military responsibilities in İzmir began on September 8, 1952, with the activation of Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe. The Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force arrived in October 1953. The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) assumed support responsibility for U.S. and NATO units in the area on January 1, 1956. USAFE extended its support to units based at Çiğli Air Base and its off-base installations in July 1962, with Çiğli AB gaining control of all support activities in and around İzmir by April 1966.

On July 1, 1970, the Turkish Air Force assumed control of Çiğli Air Base, at which point Izmir Air Station took over support responsibilities for U.S. and USAF units in the İzmir area, relegating Çiğli to standby status. Following an incident in 1983, NATO was requested to coordinate activities more closely with command. Allied Air Command İzmir was activated at General Vecihi Akin Garrison (GVAG), Sirinyer, in 2004. This command was later succeeded by Allied Land Command, also located in İzmir, from December 2012. The 425th Air Base Squadron is associated with the official website of Izmir Air Station, indicating its role in the base's operations. The facility continues to operate as a U.S. Air Force installation supporting NATO operations.