The first manned aircraft arrive in Turkey on Sunday morning to begin flying strikes against the Islamic State, the Defense Department said in a statement.
Six F-16s and and about 300 U.S. personnel arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, according to a statement from U.S. European Command.
“The United States and Turkey, as members of the 60-plus nation coalition, are committed to the fight against ISIL in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
The planes and troops came from Aviano Air Base in Italy.
The moves come after Turkey decided late last month to allow U.S. air assets to fly missions from the air base, shortening the time and distance needed to reach Islamic State targets in Syria. Drones began flying their first missions from the base last week and conducted the first strikes on Tuesday.
