TURKS ALLEGE COALITION F-16S VIOLATED TURKISH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005306 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2015 TAGS: MOPS PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: TURKS ALLEGE COALITION F-16S VIOLATED TURKISH AIRSPACE Classified By: Acting DCM Timothy A. Betts for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Turkish General Staff informed ODC Turkey Sept. 9 that it had data indicating that on the same day two F-16 aircraft "assumed having taken off from Iraq" violated Turkish airspace 20 km southeast of Sirnak. TGS's note claimed that the aircraft entered Turkish airspace at 1155 local time at 3721 north - 4242 east and exited at 1159 at 3722 north - 4317 east. ¶2. (C) MNF-I reported to ODC Turkey Sept. 10 that there were no USAF F-16s airborne during the time provided by TGS. There were two F-18 aircraft that were airborne in the vicinity of Talafar during that time frame, but they flew no closer than 90 miles away from the Turkish border. Additionally, the Combined Air Operations Center's Joint Interface Control Cell replayed all the aircraft tracks during the time provided by TGS. CAOC's analysis of the data showed that these U.S. F-18 aircraft never came close to Turkish airspace. In the review of the tapes, however, CAOC did find an aircraft track that originated in the Baghdad area, with a mode 3 code of 1025. This mode 3 code corresponds to mission number GFA005, an Iraqi-tasked A330 that flew up through Iraq and entered Turkish airspace at the approximate coordinates and times listed. ODC Turkey provided this information to TGS on Sept. 12. ¶3. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for the Middle East Vakur Gokdenizler called in PolMilCouns Sept. 12 to discuss the alleged violation. Gokdenizler made it clear he was acting on instructions from Under Secretary Tuygan, and emphasized that Turkey was only seeking verification of its claim. PolMilCouns deployed MNF-I's findings. Gokdenizler said he would pass this information on, but also asked if we would check the coordinates and date and time group provided by the Turks "one more time." MCELDOWNEY