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Military retirees in Turkey to lose military base access
Military retirees residing in Turkey have been notified that they will soon lose access to U.S. military bases in the country. These changes, scheduled to take effect in the fiscal year 2024, have sparked concerns among retirees and their families about the potential extension of similar measures to other locations.
The initial memo, issued on May 27, 2023, by Air Force Col. Calvin B. Powell, commander of the 39th Air Base Wing at Incirlik Air Base, granted military retirees a mere two weeks’ notice before the access restrictions were initially set to be implemented on June 15. However, a subsequent memo on June 13, also from Col. Powell, extended the deadline to October 1, 2023, providing a 3½ month’s reprieve.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Military retirees to be booted from bases in Turkey. Who’s next? <a href="https://t.co/gaT04mFJ1u">https://t.co/gaT04mFJ1u</a></p>— WanderinWoodsman🗺🌐🇺🇸🥋in support of 🇦🇫🇺🇦 (@WanderNWoodsman) <a href="https://twitter.com/WanderNWoodsman/status/1669456219042398211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The decision to revoke base access for military retirees in Turkey is rooted in the limitations imposed by bilateral agreements between the United States and Turkey. According to Powell’s memo, these agreements do not allow for the extension of privileges and access to installations, facilities, and activities to retirees.
The access changes will impact several key locations, including Incirlik Air Base, Izmir Air Station, and Ankara Air Station, as well as the geographically separated units, the 425th Air Base Squadron and 717th Air Base Squadron. Widows and dependents of military retirees will also be affected by the new regulations.
The retirees are concerned that the measures would not only prohibit them from shopping at commissaries but would also revoke access to essential services such as military postal services, Defense Enrolment Eligibility Reporting System, ID card offices, Tricare representatives, legal offices, and more.
Of particular concern for retirees is the impact on their ability to exercise their voting rights. Access to military postal services, including the APO mail system, has traditionally been crucial for retirees to receive and return their ballots in U.S. elections. The loss of these services raises uncertainties regarding the timely delivery and return of ballots, potentially disenfranchising retirees in the democratic process.
The changes in Turkey have also raised questions about the possibility of similar access restrictions being implemented in other locations.
Air Force Capt. Mark Goss, a spokesman for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, confirmed that officials at Aviano Air Base in Italy are “looking into potential access changes.” While no specific timeline or details were provided, Goss emphasized that any changes would be communicated to those affected.
It is worth noting that changes in base access for retirees were previously contemplated in the Philippines last year but were put on hold pending further review by defense officials.
The affected retirees and their families are seeking clarity and understanding from military authorities. Many retirees have relied on these base facilities and services for years, and the sudden revocation of access has left them concerned about their access to essential resources, such as healthcare services, financial institutions, and postal services.
