Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul traveled to Seattle in March 2006 to tour Boeing production facilities connected to the Peace Eagle airborne early warning and control program.
Under a 2002 agreement between Boeing and TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TAI), the two companies are jointly producing 4 AEW&C aircraft. The first of these was delivered to Türkiye earlier that month, with the second scheduled for delivery before the end of 2006. Both aircraft will undergo modifications at TAI facilities in Türkiye.
Gonul was also in the United States to address a Los Angeles World Affairs Council forum titled "Evolving Security Environment and Türkiye's Strategic Role in Eurasia," scheduled for that Friday. He held separate meetings with Boeing executives during his Seattle stop.
After Los Angeles, Gonul planned to fly to Chile on 26 March at the invitation of the Chilean defense minister, returning to Türkiye on 30 March.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2006, in its own words.