TAF Established 'Air Aid Corridor' in Earthquake Zone

After the 10 magnitude earthquake, the epicenter of which was in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş and affecting 7,4 provinces in total, search and rescue efforts continue.

The Ministry of National Defense also took action to deliver search and rescue teams to the earthquake area. A large number of transport aircraft, including the A400m transport aircraft of the Turkish Armed Forces, began to dispatch search and rescue teams and vehicles to the region. Ambulance planes also take part in the "air aid corridor" established.

Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, together with Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler and Land Forces Commander General Musa Avsever, examined the work at the 11th Air Transport Main Base Command before moving to the earthquake zone.

Minister Akar, who gave instructions to the Turkish Armed Forces Search and Rescue Battalion in Natural Disasters, stated that the state was mobilized to reduce the damage of the earthquake, heal the wounds and reach the citizens under the rubble. Minister Akar emphasized that the works that started right after the earthquake continued intensively. Stating that the Disaster Emergency Crisis Center was established in the Ministry of National Defense, Minister Akar said:

“Our crisis center is working intensively. Our contacts with the relevant ministries and institutions continue. Search and rescue teams are needed in the areas where the earthquake occurred. We assigned our Humanitarian Aid Brigade and teams to the region to contribute to search and rescue activities. We mobilized our planes to send medical teams, search and rescue teams and vehicles to the earthquake zone. Our other transport aircraft, including the A400M, have also maximized readiness to provide the necessary transport service.”

Noting that in addition to the difficult weather conditions, cracks have formed on the runways of some airports in the earthquake zone, Minister Akar said, "We are continuing our efforts to deliver personnel and materials to the earthquake zone as soon as possible." said.

WE ARE TAKING ATTENDANCE IN THE UNITS IN THE EARTHQUAKE ZONE

Minister Akar made the following statements on the question of whether there was any damage to the units of the Turkish Armed Forces:

“As the Armed Forces, we continue our efforts to determine damage and casualties. Unfortunately, we have 3 martyrs. We have wounded. Necessary work is being done on our martyrs and wounded. We are taking roll call again in our troops. There is also information that there are personnel who cannot be reached, we are trying to confirm them. The most important issue we try to do is to reach our personnel under the rubble. On the other hand, necessary coordination was achieved with the governors in the regions, and we continue to work to meet the demands.”

Stating that the Ministers of Defense of some friendly and allied countries called on the phone to convey their wishes of getting well soon and express their readiness to send aid, Minister Akar said, “Our work on this issue continues. The important thing is to show an example of being one in sorrow and joy within the framework of our national and spiritual values ​​that have filtered through our thousands of years of history. All ministries, institutions and organizations of the Republic of Turkey are in the field and in the field. We continue to work shoulder to shoulder to find a solution to these problems and to minimize our casualties. May God have mercy on our citizens and martyrs from here; I wish the injured a recovery. I hope we will overcome these difficulties by working shoulder to shoulder.”