Ankara Air Station, Ankara Turkey

Location: Located 2 miles southwest of Ankara, near the village of Balgat, Turkey

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Origin of current name: Named after a city in Turkey

Date current name was assigned to base: February 28, 1958

Previous Names: Balgat Field; Ankara Airfield; Ankara Air Base

Construction Began: July 1, 1962

Base Units: 7217th Spt Gp, 15 May 1955-30 Jun 1958; 7250th Spt Gp, 1 Jul 1958-14 Oct 1971; 39th Tac Gp, 15 Oct 1971-14 Nov 1982; 7217th AB Gp, 15 Nov 1982

Changes in Capability: Established as an administrative headquarters without flying operations; Ankara AS's primary mission was to provide support for the U.S. military and diplomatic mission in Turkey, especially for the American military community situated in the greater Ankara area; base supported HQ The United States Logistics Group (TUSLOG) after May 1973, when that headquarters moved to Ankara AS from downtown Ankara.

Changes in Status: Closed 1994

History:

Ankara Air Station is a former United States military installation located in Ankara, Turkey. It served as a communications and intelligence facility during the Cold War, supporting U.S. and NATO operations in the region. The base was a key link in regional command and control networks before being closed in the late 20th century. Established in the early 1950s amid rising Cold War tensions, Ankara Air Station was part of a network of U.S. facilities across Turkey. It enabled coordination between NATO forces and U.S. command centers, relaying data and intelligence relevant to Middle East and Soviet monitoring operations. The station played a crucial part in U.S. regional defense strategy. Its secure communication systems supported reconnaissance and early-warning missions, linking radar and listening posts throughout Turkey to higher command. Ankara's central location provided ideal access for coordination with both Turkish and NATO partners. By the early 1990s, following the end of the Cold War and restructuring of U.S. overseas bases, Ankara Air Station's functions were gradually transferred or phased out. The site's military presence was reduced, and its facilities were later reused by local institutions and commercial entities. Little visible evidence of the U.S. installation remains.