Turkish Stars
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The Turkish Stars (Turkish: Türk Yıldızları) are the aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force and the national aerobatics team of Turkey.
Turkish Stars | |
---|---|
Active | November 7, 1992 |
Country | Turkey |
Branch | Turkish Air Force |
Role | Aerobatic demonstration Team |
Size | 10 Pilots, 7 Public affairs, 11 Maintenance personnel |
Garrison/HQ | Konya Air Base |
Motto(s) | A perfect harmony of skill, speed and discipline... |
Colors | Red, White, Gray |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Major Esra Özatay |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | 10 NF-5A Freedom Fighter 2 NF-5B Freedom Fighter |
Transport | 1 C-130 1 C-160 1 CASA/IPTN CN-235 |
The team was formed on November 7, 1992, and was named the Turkish Stars on January 11, 1993.[1]
Turkish Stars fly with eight Canadair NF-5 fighter planes obtained from the Royal Netherlands Air Force,[2] making them one of few national aerobatics teams to fly supersonic aircraft. Twelve NF-5 fighter planes are available to the team. The team uses CASA/IPTN CN-235, C-130 and C-160 support aircraft in Turkish Stars colours. The team is stationed at the Konya Air Base of 3rd Main Jet Base Group Command. As a part of modernization programs of the Turkish Air Force, the NF-5 aircraft are planned to be replaced with locally produced TAI Hurjet in mid 2020s.[3]
On August 24, 2001, the Turkish Stars demonstrated at an airshow to more than one million people in Baku, Azerbaijan, setting a world record.[4]