IZMIR - Three Dutch batteries of Patriot ground-based, air defense missile systems, which have deployed to southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Batman are ready for use, officials said.
NATO Allied Forces Southern Europe said on Thursday that the Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, U.S. Navy, has assumed control of those batteries.
The statement said that deployment followed the NATO Defense Planning Committee's authorization to implement, as a matter of urgency, defensive measures to assist Turkey and stated that the batteries were transported by sea from the Netherlands to the port of Iskenderun and traveled overland to their current locations.
The Netherlands Patriot units received additional enhanced missiles provided by German Air Force.
The Patriot system's capability is to intercept and destroy Tactical Ballistic Missiles as well as hostile aircraft that are violating the integrity of the Turkish and Alliance airspace.
The Commander Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, Lt. Gen. Glen W. Moorhead will exercise command and control over NATO air defense assets currently deployed in Turkey through the Commander of Combined Air Operation Center 6, Lt. Gen. Faruk Comert, Turkish Air Force. CINCSOUTH is the Joint Force Commander for this deployment.
Two NATO E3A AWACS aircraft deployed to Forward Operating Base at Konya last week, where they started routine peacetime surveillance flights on February 26, 2003.
The Alliance presence is purely to contribute to the defense of one of its members, Turkey, in accordance with its obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, the statement added.
(EÖ-AÖ) 06.03.2003