FIRST US-TURKEY MIL-MIL COMBINED PLANNING

S E C R E T ANKARA 001509 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS MASS TU SUBJECT: FIRST US-TURKEY MIL-MIL COMBINED PLANNING CONFERENCE A SUCCESS REF: 2006 ANKARA 6705 Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt, reasons 1 .4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During the initial bilateral US/Turkey Combined Planning Committee (CPC) meeting, hosted by the US European Command J-5 on May 22-24 in Stuttgart, US and Turkish action officers exchanged views and developed proposals on a full range of military-to-military cooperation. Separate CPC subcommittees reviewed counter-terrorism cooperation, military exercises, and proposals for enhancing ground, naval and air cooperation. The co-chairs of the first CPC agreed that the conference was an effective means to expedite implementation of the action items derived from the annual High level Defense Group (HLDG) and shape the agenda of the next HLDG, expected to be hosted by the US in Washington in December 2007. The Turkish General Staff (TGS) offered to host the second of two CPCs to be held each year in between HLDG meetings on October 3-4 in Turkey. END SUMMARY First CPC Achieves Results -------------- ¶2. (C) At the December 2006 HLDG, it was agreed to establish a Combined Planning Committee at the action officer level (O4 to O6) with biannual meetings to pursue implementation of HLDG action items, facilitate deepening of mil-mil contacts, and prepare for the following HLDG meeting (reftel). The primary goal of the first meeting was to establish the Terms of Reference; define committee structures, operation and membership; and close out any unfulfilled HLDG action items. The meeting achieved these goals but was most notable for the broad Turkish participation (10 O4 to O6 level Turkish officers),candid discussion on a range of issues, and the good rapport developed between the two sides. While freely expressing their own opinions, the Turkish officers made clear that they were not in a position to make decisions at the O6 level, but would forward proposals to their superiors at TGS. ¶3. (SBU) The next CPC will be hosted by TGS on October 3-4, 2007 in Turkey. The focus will be on preparations for the HLDG expected to be hosted by the US in Washington in December 2007. The following are the May 2007 CPC achievements and action items by subcommittee: ¶4. (SBU) Executive Committee: -- The Executive Committee conducted a review of the Security Cooperation Working Group (SCWG) action items from the December 2006 HLDG and agreed that SCWG updates should be a part of all future CPCs. -- The US and Turkish delegations reviewed and signed the CPC Terms of Reference and accepted this document as the standard operating procedure for the CPC. -- The two sides agreed that the TGS Liaison Officer (LNO) to USEUCOM established in 2004 was valuable and should be maintained, but that a Memorandum of Understanding for the position needs to be reviewed and approved at the next HLDG. The LNO position description should be reviewed prior to the next CPC and be incorporated into the MOU. -- The Turkish delegation advised that the proposed June 18-19 visit to USEUCOM by D/CHOD GEN Ergin Saygun would be postponed due to the current political situation in Turkey. -- USEUCOM J-5 briefed on the establishment of AFRICOM, highlighting potential areas for US and Turkish cooperation in Africa. -- The Executive Committee determined that the next CPC will be hosted in Turkey by TGS on October 3-4, 2007. ¶5. (S) Counter-Terrorism Subcommittee: -- The Turkish side, chaired by COL Ayhan Guler, briefed on TGS perspectives on PKK terrorism, noting TGS expectations for US action against PKK safehavens in northern Iraq. Guler expressed appreciation for CENTCOM participation in the first CPC meeting and requested continued CENTCOM participation in future CPCs. TGS requested a "Way Ahead on Northern Iraq" briefing from CENTCOM for the next CPC. -- CENTRIX intelligence sharing on Iraq for development of common threat assessments and provision of operational updates was briefed to TGS. The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC-T) will continue to research system capabilities and limitations and provide additional information to TGS. -- TGS advised that it does not wish to include intelligence sharing on Iran on the CPC agenda. According to COL Guler, the decision was made by TGS J-2 that this subject should be handled in MFA channels. -- Border security programs, including a JTF-6 visit, were discussed. -- Participants discussed OSD's proposal for Joint US-Turkey Information Operations to counter ideological support for terrorism in the region. TGS will provide further input, staff proposals, and a proposed way ahead to OSD. -- Both sides agreed that the Ankara Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism (COE-DAT) facility was a valuable resource and should be utilized more intensively. USEUCOM will consider more involvement by guest lecturers/trainers. -- TGS will consider future regional Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercises in cooperation with Israel, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. -- TGS wishes to provide update briefings on Black Sea maritime security initiatives BLACKSEAFOR and Operation Black Sea Harmony at the next CPC. ¶6. (SBU) Exercise Subcommittee: -- The US invited Turkey to participate in Exercise Noble Shirley 2008, the biannual US-Israel exercise on IDF counter-terrorism. The US will present a written request to the Israeli Defense Forces no later that July 1, 2007 and hopes to present an invitation to TGS via ODC-T or US Embassy Ankara Defense Attach's Office not later than September 1, ¶2007. -- To facilitate US participation in Anatolian Eagle, possible dates for the 2008 exercise will be discussed at the next CPC. Because the exercise currently falls toward the end of the US fiscal year, USAF noted that it is difficult for the US to join. -- The Turkish Air Force (TUAF) representative confirmed that TUAF is scheduled to participate in Red Flag in July 2007, its first participation in seven years. The TUAF representative said Turkey would like to participate in Red Flag regularly and will confirm this at the next CPC. -- The Exercise Subcommittee reviewed the 15 exercises in which the US and Turkey currently participate and agreed to present a roadmap of future exercises at the next CPC meeting. ¶7. (SBU) Naval Subcommittee: -- A Joint Expeditionary Partnership Team/Mobile Training Team concept was discussed, but no commitment was made to conduct an initial event. -- NAVEUR ADM Ulrich and CNO ADM Mullen visits to Turkey were reviewed. Both sides were pleased with the results of the visits. -- The status of Excess Defense Articles (EDA) requests for OHP frigates and an ocean-going tug boat was discussed. Current ship transfer legislation for the frigates is pending in Congress. Turkish Navy will follow up with ODC-T on its request for an ocean going tug. -- Global Fleet Station (GFS) concept was briefed by the U.S. side for maritime awareness. -- Both sides agreed to discuss at the next CPC 60-90 day Turkish ship riders (short-term, junior officer embarkations) on US warships participating in Operation Active Endeavor. -- For future US Navy activities with Turkey, ship riders are proposed for all planned events and exercises, subject to approval by the Turkish Navy. -- Commander NAVEUR (CNE) and Turkish Navy points of contact will be provided for the Georgia Automated Information System (AIS) project in an effort to avoid redundancies. -- CNE and Turkish Navy will continue to execute action items remaining from December 2006 Navy Staff Talks. -- CNE will provide new SOCEUR point of contact for Special Forces activities with Turkey. ¶8. (C) Air Subcommittee: -- The TUAF request to the Israeli AF for Patriot Missile evasion training has been denied by the US. TUAF believes that SAM evasion training would be beneficial and has asked the USAF for a way forward. SAF/IA has action to investigate if this training could be made available to the TUAF in the future. -- The USAF requested the airspace limitations around Incirlik Airbase be relaxed to allow a greater altitude range for U.S. flight training missions. Current airspace limitations restrict US flight operations to 15,000 to 28,000 feet. USAF expressed a desire to be able to conduct training flights from near the ground to 50,000 feet. USAFE and TUAF will investigate this issue and report at the next CPC. -- The TUAF raised concerns about the future NATO Air Command and Control structure and stated the Turkish desire that CC Air Izmir be maintained and not reduced in size. TUAF also urged that, with closure of the CAOC-6 in Eskisehir, the command of CAOC-7 in Larissa alternate between Turkish and Greek generals. -- Both sides agreed that the Peace Onyx III TUAF F-16 block 30/40/50 upgrade program was on track and expressed satisfaction with progress being made. Program status will be reviewed again at the next CPC. -- TUAF is reviewing the USAF request to extend the duty period of F-16 exchange officer positions for additional two years, and wants to consider additional exchange requests for Turkish officers to be placed in a staff officer, T-38, and KC-135 positions. These positions are being evaluated by the USAF for establishment in FY 2009/10. Status of the Turkish requests for additional exchanges will be presented at the next CPC. -- The US side expressed concern that the TUAF position at the US Air War College is unfilled this year. TUAF will investigate future expectations for filling the slot and report at the next CPC. ¶9. (S) Ground Subcommittee: -- The subcommittee discussed holding Army Staff Talks for the first time. Turkish Land Forces proposed holding the first such meeting in Turkey. Both sides will discuss internally and provide status reports at the next CPC. -- USAREUR provided an overview of proposed future intelligence cooperation activities, including analyst exchanges. Turkish Land Forces Command representatives will be invited to join future activities in which the TGS J-2 participates. -- Both sides agreed to work toward establishment of closer training and simulation center relationships. USAREUR invited the Turkish Land Forces Command to send a small unit to the Joint Multinational Readiness Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany to participate in regularly-scheduled Mission Rehearsal Exercises and possible counter-IED training. Also discussed was possible US participation in a battalion-level CPX at the simulation center in Ankara and U.S. participation in Exercise Eurasian Star 07 in Istanbul in November 2007. Both sides agreed to exchange training calendars and share cost information. -- USAREUR briefed on opportunities for NCO development courses at the 7th Army NCO Academy in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and will send course descriptions, schedules, and cost information to Turkish Land Forces through ODC-T. ¶10. (U) Participants: Turkish Delegation: -------------- COL Ugar Berkusn, TGS, CPC Co-Chair COL Atilla Ozturk, TGS COL Serif Demir, TGS COL Ayhan Guler, TGS COL Irfan Ciftiabasi, EUCOM LNO CPT Zahit Ogurlu, Turkish Naval Staff COL Fikret Canitez, TGS LTC Oksan Cidem, TGS MAJ Ilkay Camkerten, TGS MAJ Erkan Oral, TGS US Delegation: -------------- COL Alexander Portelli, EUCOM J-5, CPC Co-Chair COL Ricardo Ramirez, ODC-T LTC Jordan Thomas, EUCOM J-5 LTC Ashley Salter, EUCOM J-4 LTC Leon McIlvene, MARFOREUR CDR Patrick Kennedy, NAVEUR N5 CDR Ken Klothe, EUCOM J-5 MAJ John Dobes, CENTCOM J5 MAJ Tripp McCullar, ODC-T MAJ Jay Schatz, SAF/IA MAJ Scott Ogledzinski, USAFE A5 LCR Andrew Collier, JTRE LT Brian Bass, NAVEUR N5 Ms. Joy Procaccio, EUCOM FDO Mr. Gerald Landry, DA Mr. Jim Kapsis, OSD-P Mr. Christopher Rich, Embassy Ankara Mr. Richard Kurasiewicz, JIEEDO Ms. Mary Ellen Radloff, JIACG Mr. Rick Niland, USAREUR G3 Mr. Gunter Filippucci, ECJA Ms. Allison Rain-Aird, USAREUR G2 Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON