US and Turkish officials are still finalizing plans for 12 F-15s to deploy to Incirlik AB, Turkey, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis on Monday. The Defense Department announced last week the jets, a mix of C and E models, would deploy to Incirlik to join 12 A-10s already at the base, but Davis said a solid timeline for the deployment has not been established. The F-15Cs, which specialize in air superiority, will support a program to protect Turkey’s airspace, which was established in 2012. Air Combat Command boss Gen. Hawk Carlisle visited Incirlik on Oct. 22 in advance of the announcement and spoke with both American and Turkish airmen.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…