In a recent article we referred to the statements of the leader of the ruling AKP party and former deputy prime minister, Bulent Arinc, who called for the postponement of the May 14 elections due to the large earthquakes that shook southeastern Turkey on February 6, leaving open the possibility of these being held after 6 months or even 1 year more. The opposition reacted strongly, calling it a "coup".
With today's article, Turkish media attempts on the matter of quoting relevant statements from AKP representative and party Vice President Ömer Çelik, who stated that: "At this moment, we are trying to save the lives that are under the ruins. At this moment , we are struggling to heal the wounds. We find it very wrong to talk about anything about the election. We don't find it right in any way," he said.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) in Yuregir Municipality, Celik said there is a big fight on the ground, in the field of destruction. Stating that search and rescue efforts in Adana have been completed, Celik said they are focusing on improving the conditions of citizens outside the city and treating the injured.
Celik stated that there is unity, solidarity, brotherhood, great solidarity of humanity and continued as follows: "Besides national solidarity, there is also great solidarity of humanity. It is impossible not to be touched by the efforts of our people from all over Turkey. Everyone is trying to do their best.
Recalling that he visited Incirlik's 10th Air Refueling Aircraft Base Command yesterday, Celik said that help from the country and abroad was sent to the place where it is needed in a coordinated manner by air and ground vehicles.
Stating that Adana Şakirpaşa Airport and 10th Incirlik Base Command have become logistical support bases, Celik thanked the teams coming from abroad.
Noting that many states have mobilized the country's emergency resources in Turkey, Celik said: "It is a major disaster that requires the participation of international organizations that go beyond even the solidarity of these states and where everyone is mobilizing their resources. The fight continues unabated. It's definitely not chaos, it's a complete coordinated fight
Two main conclusions can be drawn from the above words of Celik:
The first concerns the date of the elections, to which he did not answer either that they will be held on May 14, but also that they will be postponed as Bulent Arinc, also a leading member of the AKP, had said 1 day earlier, evading the question by saying that now this is the time for rescuing those affected by the earthquakes and not for talking about elections.
The second concerns the conversion of the 10th Airlift Air Base, based in Incirlik of Adana, into a center for receiving and providing logistical support to earthquake victims.
This air base hosts the 7 KC-135 Stratotankers of the Turkish Air Force, which are a very important force multiplier.
Since it will take a long time to repair the damage and improve the living conditions of the affected earthquake victims in the region, we believe that the use of this specially constructed air base, as a center for the provision of logistical support, is a clear indication, in addition, that Turkey will drop tons in the Aegean for several months.
KC-135- Characteristics
Military tanker-transport
Width: 130 feet 10 inches
Height: 41 feet 8 inches
Length: 136 feet 3 inches
Max Takeoff Weight: 322,500 lbs
Maximum fuel load: 200,000 lbs
Maximum cargo capacity: 83,000 pounds, 37 passengers
Pallet positions: 6
Speed: 530 mph at 30,000 feet
Range: 1,500 miles with 150,000 pounds of fuel carrying capacity. up to 11,015 miles in unmanned and unladen flight
Maximum altitude: 50,000 feet Power: Four 18,000 lb P&W TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines, four 22,000 lb thrust GE F-108 turbofan engines Turkey upgraded in 2021 to the US the first of the 7 KC-135s it has in "Block 45".
