General Hulusi Akar Visits TCG Büyükada

Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Akar, on Board of TCG Büyükada, saluting TCG Heybeliada. Photo: Official Turkish Armed Forces Photo

The Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Hulusi Akar visited the Ada class corvette TCG Büyükada on 29 December 2015.

According to the Turkish General Staff website General Akar visited TCG Büyükada while she was deployed for Operation Mediterranean Shield.

Operation Mediterranean Shield initiated by Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean on 1 April 2006 was executed to:
Provide security of oil transportation in Ceyhan, terminal area for oil, and therefore contribute to the security of global energy,
Demonstrate presence against possible risks and threats existing in the eastern Mediterranean and disencourage it,
Support initiatives by NATO for maritime security in the region,
Show presence through possible maritime domain,

This visit didn’t receive the attention it deserved, from the Turkish media.

Since Turkey shoot down a Russian bomber when it violated Turkish airspace, the tensions in that part of the Mediterranean Sea are high.

The photo above shows that both Ada class corvettes TCG Heybeliada and TCG Büyükada are stationed in Eastern Mediterranean. The Ada class ships are the youngest combat ships in Turkish Fleet. They have very low radar cross sections, and advanced electronic support systems. These ships are the most suitable warships in our service to conduct shadowing operations without been seen and perform flag showing.

The existence of these capable warships in this high tension area clearly indicates the commitment of Turkish Navy.