U.S. nears military deal with Turkey

A deal is near between the United States and Turkey in an air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria.

At a Friday news conference, Air Force Col. Pat Ryder spoke about continuing operations in Iraq and Syria by coalition partners supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

“Turkey has been a welcome partner in terms of opening up Incirlik Air Base and allowing us to conduct manned and unmanned operations out of [that base],” Ryder said. “They have definitely highlighted that they are committed to participating in the counter-ISIL air operations, [and] they have stopped doing any counter-ISIL flights until we finalize … how they will be part of the coalition air campaign."

On Aug. 9, six U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and about 300 personnel arrived at Incirlik Air Base to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said.

On Aug. 12, Pentagon officials announced that the United States had begun flying manned counter-ISIL missions from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and conducting airstrikes.