Turkish military to lead NATO’s airborne task force in groundbreaking move VIDEO

For the first time in its history, Türkiye will assume command of NATO's Airborne Troops Command and the NATO Response Force's Airborne Troops Command on July 1, 2025.

This announcement was made by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense via social media platform X, marking a significant milestone for the country within the alliance, per Caliber.Az.

As part of Türkiye's ongoing commitments to NATO, it will hold command of these forces until June 30, 2026.

The Turkish Ministry emphasized that this leadership position is a testament to the country's increasing role in NATO operations and its contribution to the alliance’s defence structure.

Ülkemiz, NATO taahhütleri kapsamında, 1 Temmuz 2025 - 30 Haziran 2026 tarihleri arasında NATO Müttefik Reaksiyon Kuvveti Amfibi Görev Kuvveti Komutanlığı ve Çıkarma Kuvveti Komutanlığı görevini ilk kez devralacaktır.

Amfibi Görev Kuvveti ve Çıkarma Kuvveti Komutanlığı… pic.twitter.com/wAjuV4FZFZ

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 17, 2025

In addition to the leadership of NATO's airborne forces, Türkiye will also take part in the upcoming Dynamic Mariner/Flotex-25 exercise, scheduled to take place from March 24 to April 4, 2025. This exercise will involve the participation of Türkiye’s amphibious forces command headquarters, along with the Marine amphibious assault battalion, and Turkish naval ships including TCG Sancaktar, TCG Bayraktar, TCG Oruçreis, and TCG Gaziantep, as well as Route/Spain.

This announcement comes just after Türkiye marked the 73rd anniversary of its accession to NATO. Since joining the alliance in 1952, Türkiye has become a key member, contributing significantly to NATO operations. Its strategic position at the southeastern edge of Europe, where it acts as a critical bridge to Asia, has made it an invaluable ally in terms of air, land, and sea defence.

With one of the largest and most capable military forces in NATO, Türkiye is one of the top five contributors to NATO missions. It has participated in various operations, including those in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and continues to play an important role in securing NATO’s southern flank, especially in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and broader Middle East regions.

Türkiye's ongoing contributions reflect its commitment to the alliance, bolstering NATO's influence and security in the region.