Military Veterans Face Restricted Access to US Bases in Turkey, Impacting Services and Connections to Home

Military Veterans Face Restricted Access to US Bases in Turkey, Impacting Services and Connections to Home

Military veterans residing in Turkey are set to face significant changes this fall as they will be denied access to US military bases. This decision directly impacts their connection to home and access to essential services. Air Force Colonel Calvin Powell, commander of the 39th Air Base wing at Incirlik Air Base, announced this move as part of a broader review of base access policies that may also affect other overseas locations.

This policy change will affect approximately 121 US military retirees living in Turkey. These veterans will lose access to vital on-base facilities such as commissaries and exchanges where they could purchase American products, ranging from groceries to other necessities. This decision is incredibly impactful given that these facilities offer goods and services that are not easily obtainable locally, serving as a crucial lifeline to familiar comforts from home.

One of the most pressing concerns raised by affected veterans is the loss of access to on-base post office services. Retirees like Michael, who was medically retired after injuries sustained in Iraq in 2008, highlighted the importance of these services for receiving essential medications and for reliable mail-in voting. Michael and others like him depend on the military postal system to receive vital drugs and to ensure their ballots in US elections are securely cast and counted.

The rationale behind this restrictive access is tied to bilateral agreements between the United States and Turkey, which, according to Colonel Powell's memo, do not allow extending privileges to military retirees. This has sparked concerns and speculation among the retiree community that the policy change might indirectly encourage them to return to the United States.

This decision has disrupted the lives of individual retirees and has broader economic implications. Local vendors who operate businesses within the base facilities, particularly those in exchanges, report significant reliance on the patronage of these retirees. The potential decline in their company could adversely affect the local economy and damage the symbiotic relationships these bases have with their host nations.

The policy shift also raises questions about its necessity and justification. Many retirees understand and accept that base access might need to be restricted for security reasons. However, the absence of such concerns in Turkey suggests that other motives, possibly fiscal ones, might be at play. This situation highlights the complex interplay between military policy, diplomatic agreements, and the personal lives of those who have served.

As this situation develops, it reminds us of the broader implications of policy decisions on the international stage and the personal impact on those who have dedicated years of service to their country. Retirees, military personnel, and observers await further information and hope for resolutions considering the needs of all parties involved.

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December 12, 2014 | Air & Space Forces Magazine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/daily/20141212/