ANKARA (A.A) - 03.08.2002 - Decisions taken at the regular meetings of the Higher Military Board (YAS) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit between July 31 and August 3, were announced on Saturday after approval of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
The decisions will enter into force as of August 30, 2002.
According to the decisions of the YAS, General Staff Chief General Huseyin Kivrikoglu retired.
Land Forces Commander General Hilmi Ozkok has been appointed as the new Chief of General Staff, Gendarmerie Forces Commander General Tahir Aytac Yalman has been appointed as the new Commander of the Land Forces, and Land Forces Command Staff Chairman General Mehmet Sener Eruygur has been appointed as the new Commander of the Gendarmerie Forces.
National Security Council (NSC) Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Ilker Basbug has been appointed as the new Staff Chief of the Land Forces, and Gendarmerie's Public Order Department Commander General Fevzi Turkeri has been appointed as the new Commander of the Second Army.
31 generals and admirals have been raised to a higher rank.
46 colonels have become general and admiral.
Term in office of 50 generals and admirals has been extended for one year while 36 generals and admirals retired.
Meanwhile, 46 personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces were dismissed due to violation of the disciplinary regulations.
The command echelon of the TSK as of August 30, 2002 is as follows: 

    


General Staff Chief                        : General Hilmi Ozkok


Land Forces Commander                      : General Aytac Yalman


Naval Forcas Commander                     : Admiral Bulent Alpkaya


Air Forces Commander                       : General Cumhur Asparuk


Gendarmerie Forces Commander               : General Sener Eruygur


First Army Commander                       : General Cetin Dogan


Second Army Commander                      : General Fevzi Turkeri


Third Army Commander                       : General Tamer Akbas


Aegean Army Commander                      : General Hursit Tolon


NSC Secretary General                      : General Tuncer Kilinc


Land Forces Command Staff Chairman         : General Ilker Basbug


War Academies Commander                    : General Ibrahim Firtina


General Staff Deputy Chief                 : General Yasar Buyukanit


NATO South European Allied Forces Commander: General Oktar Ataman


Fleet Commander                            : Admiral Ozden Ornek

NEW CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GENERAL OZKOK
General Hilmi Ozkok was born in Turgutlu township of western province of Manisa in 1940.
He graduated from Land War School in 1959, from Artillery School in 1961, and from Land War Academy in 1972.
He has served in different departments of the Turkish Armed Forces.
General Ozkok was appointed as the commander of the Land Forces in 2000.
He has been decorated with medals by the United States, Pakistan, Spain and South Korea.
He is married with two children.