Turkish Navy Will Sail Around Africa

The Milgem class corvette F-511 TCG Heybeliada is one of the ships taking part in the Barbaros Task Force

Yesterday, the creation of  Barbaros Task Force was made public in a press conference held at the Fleet HQ in Gölcük Naval Base.

This task force (TF) consisting of the frigates F-495 TCG Gediz, F-245 TCG Oruçreis,  the corvette F-511 TCG Heybeliada and the replenishment tanker A-595 TCG Yarbay Kudret Güngör. The TF will set sail from main Turkish Naval Base, Gölcük on 17 March 2014 and is scheduled to return home after a deployment of 102 days.

During this deployment, TF will navigate round the African continent from west to east and will make port visits in 26 countries and conduct military exercises with their navies. Furthermore the TF will conduct live firing exercises in South Africa. The TF will take part in the US led exercise Obangame Express and will conduct anti piracy operations when it arrives in the Gulf of Aden.

It will be the first crossing of Cape of Hope by Turkish ships after 148 years.