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Main Page > Turkish Air Force > Our History > Founding
Founding
The history of the Turkish Air Force, one of the first military aviation organizations in the world, dates back to 1909.Efforts on aviation were started in 1909 in the Turkish Army and these efforts were developed in 1910. A research team was sent to Europe and another one to the International Aviation Conference held in Paris in the same year. By the end of 1910, a final decision was made and some officers were deemed appropriate to be sent to Europe to receive training as aviation personnel. However, in spite of this important decision taken by the high command level of the Turkish Army pertaining to aviation, the required funding couldn't be provided due to the financial constraints encountered in the country at that time, and the actions required by the subject directive couldn't be taken in 1910.
Mahmut Şevket Pasha, Minister of War, who anticipated the future importance of aviation in terms of national defense continued to be closely interested in this subject, and Captain Fesa from cavalry and Second Lieutenant Yusuf Kenan from engineering corps who had scored the best in the examination made on 28 June 1911 were sent to the Flight School of Bleriot Aircraft Company in France, in July 1911, to receive flight training.
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Mahmut Şevket Pasha |
Fethi Bey |
During these developments in 1911, Staff Lieutenant Colonel Süreyya (İlmen) assumed the responsibility of establishing the aviation organization and the first formal aviation establishment of the Turkish Army was inaugurated with the name "Aviation Commission" within the 2nd Branch of the Scientific Detachments, Fortification General Inspectorate, Ministry of War.
Wilbur and Orwille Wright brothers successfully flew the first powered aircraft on 17 December 1903, which is considered to be the beginning of the modern and high technology aviation. Eight years later the Turkish Military Aviation Organization took its place among the world's first aviation organizations almost in the same years along with the USA, France, the U.K., Germany, Italy, Austria and Russia who established their military aviation organizations between 1909 and 1912. |
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