Young folk dancers spin in front of the Library of Celsus in the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey. U.S. European Command is updating its Turkey travel requirements for Department of Defense personnel and command-sponsored family members, again allowing visits to sites across the country. (Stars and Stripes)
Travel to Turkey for Ministry of Defense personnel and command-sponsored family members no longer requires component commander-level approval, under new U.S. European Command rules, which also prohibit travel alone in Turkey.
EUCOM is updating its travel requirements for Turkey to align with Department of Defense and State Department guidance, a command spokesperson said Tuesday. Under the new rules, all trips to Turkey must include at least two people, according to EUCOM.
“This may include DOD personnel, civilian personnel involved in the mission, or family members,” a statement from U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa said.
The command announced on Friday that it had updated its travel requirements to Turkey in accordance with EUCOM guidelines, officials said.
“The two-person travel policy is the rule, and exceptions will not be granted solely for the unavailability of a second person,” USAFE-AFAFRICA said.
Exceptions may be considered for family members visiting personnel assigned to Turkey, a USAFE-AFAFRICA spokesperson said Wednesday.
Previously, USAFE personnel needed approval from the USAFE-AFAFRICA Commander or “his delegate” to travel to Turkey, EUCOM said.
Travel to southeastern Turkey requires the approval of the first O-6 – either a colonel or a navy captain – or the GS-15 civilian equivalent in his chain of command, according to the travel policy set. up to date.
The policy extends to the following provinces: Hataty, Kilis, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Mardin, Sirnak, Hakkari, Adana, Kahramanmaras, Diyarbakir, Malatya, Osmaniye, Batman, Siirt, Van, Britlis and Adiyaman. It applies to all official travel, emergency leave and unofficial travel, in accordance with the updated rules.
DOD personnel, including family members, must enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler program before entering or traveling in Turkey.
Unofficial travel to Turkey for DOD personnel had been generally prohibited since 2015 due to the deteriorating security situation in the country. But from 2016, general officers were given the power to lift the ban for people under their command.
In September 2016, DOD completed all assignments in Turkey for year-long unaccompanied tours.
The move came about six months after the Pentagon removed hundreds of military family members from Incirlik Air Base and smaller bases in Izmir and Mugla.
