Breaking News... Ministry of National Defense announces: Bulgaria detail in F-16 crash! 'Our heroic pilot...'

The weekly press briefing of the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) was held at the Ministry on February 26. During the meeting, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor to the Ministry, shared the latest developments regarding the crash of an F-16 fighter jet that took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir on February 25, as well as counter-terrorism and border security activities, NATO exercises, and the personnel recruitment process.

Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that an F-16 fighter jet that took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir crashed on February 25, and said, "The cause of the incident will be clarified after the investigation by the crash investigation team. We once again wish God's mercy upon our heroic comrade-in-arms, Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, who was martyred in this tragic accident; we extend our condolences to his family, our Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

Ministry of National Defense sources noted the following regarding the F-16 crash in which Air Force Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat was martyred:

"The control and security of our airspace are provided on a 24/7 basis with great sacrifice through a layered and integrated architecture covering radar, early warning, electronic warfare, and interception elements.

Alarm reaction missions are carried out with our aircraft for the identification and tracking of identified or unidentified air traces on our radars.

Upon the detection of an unidentified radar trace on our Bulgarian border on February 25, 2 of our F-16 fighter jets took off simultaneously from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir as part of an alarm reaction mission. Radio contact and radar tracking information with one of our fighter jets were lost as of 00:56.

As a result of the search and rescue efforts immediately initiated, the wreckage of our crashed aircraft was reached. It has been determined that our heroic pilot activated the ejection system at the last moment to abandon the aircraft. Our heroic pilot was martyred in the accident that occurred.

The cause of the incident will be clarified after the detailed investigation by the crash investigation team. It is important not to rely on claims and comments other than our official statements on this matter.

We once again wish God's mercy upon our dear martyr who lost his life in this incident that has plunged us into deep pain and sorrow; we extend our condolences and patience to his grieving family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

Emphasizing that the Turkish Armed Forces continue their counter-terrorism activities with determination, Aktürk said, "In the past week, 5 more PKK terrorists have surrendered, and efforts to detect and destroy mines, improvised explosive devices, caves, shelters, and hideouts have continued within and beyond our borders to establish permanent security."

Providing information on border security activities, Aktürk said, "In the last week, 108 individuals, including 3 members of terrorist organizations, who were trying to cross our borders illegally were apprehended, and 551 individuals were prevented before they could cross the border."

Stating that the number of those apprehended since the beginning of the year has reached 1,074 and the number of those prevented from crossing the border has reached 10,265, Aktürk stated that border security continues uninterrupted.

Aktürk noted that those massacred in Khojaly on February 26, 1992, were commemorated with mercy on the 34th anniversary, and that the pain of the Azerbaijani people is shared.

"STEADFAST DART 2026 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED"

Rear Admiral Aktürk announced that "Steadfast Dart 2026," NATO's most comprehensive and highest-participation live exercise in 2026, has been successfully completed, and stated the following:

"In the exercise, in which our Turkish Armed Forces participated with approximately 2,000 personnel, we made an effective contribution to the alliance's collective defense structure by executing strategic deployment, rapid force positioning, and sustainable logistics maintenance capabilities with a high level of readiness."

Stating that land and naval elements served with a joint operation understanding throughout the exercise, Aktürk reported that air defense, artillery fire, amphibious and naval operations, and command-and-control activities were successfully executed.

Aktürk said, "The effective use of our domestic and national defense industry products in the field, especially the successful firing activity carried out by our Bayraktar TB-3 Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle taking off from TCG Anadolu, has once again demonstrated the level reached by our technological competence and operational capability in a NATO environment."

He stated that the land elements participating in the exercise began to return to Turkey by air and sea as of February 26.

ANATOLIAN TURKISH MARITIME TASK GROUP GOING TO NORWAY

Announcing that the Anatolian Turkish Maritime Task Group will participate in the "Dynamic Mariner/Joint Warrior/Cold Response-2026 Exercise" to be held in Norway between March 5-20, Aktürk stated that the task group will take part in the exercise with TCG Anadolu, TCG Derya, TCG İstanbul, TCG Oruçreis, 1 Amphibious Marine Infantry Battalion, SAT/SAS teams, 3 Bayraktar TB-3 UCAVs, helicopters, and landing craft.

Stating that the task group will make port visits to Rotterdam/Netherlands between February 26 and March 1, and to Southampton/UK between March 3-8, Aktürk also said that participation was provided to the "Dynamic Manta Submarine Defense Exercise" held in Italy between February 23 and March 6 with the TCG I. İnönü submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft.

Aktürk reported that the "Helicopter Capture and Transfer System," developed in cooperation with ASFAT and the Sonitus company affiliated with the Ministry, was successfully tested in helicopter operations carried out on the Offshore Patrol Vessel and that the qualification process has been completed.

Stating that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Aktürk noted that applications for the "2026 Technical Class Specialist Sergeant Recruitment," which started on February 25, will continue until March 9.

Stating that a total of 645,402 applications, 340,513 of which are women, have been made within the scope of military student recruitment to the National Defense University, Aktürk said, "As in previous years, we are pleased that the number of female candidates applying for the exam to be held this year is higher than the number of male candidates. We thank our student candidates and their families, and we wish success to our young people who will take the exam."

In the statement made by Ministry of National Defense sources, it was emphasized that the control and security of the airspace are provided on a 24/7 basis with a layered and integrated architecture covering radar, early warning, electronic warfare, and interception elements. The statement said, "Upon the detection of an unidentified radar trace on our Bulgarian border on February 25, 2 of our F-16 fighter jets took off simultaneously from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balıkesir as part of an alarm reaction mission. Radio contact and radar tracking information with one of our fighter jets were lost as of 00:56. As a result of the search and rescue efforts immediately initiated, the wreckage of our crashed aircraft was reached. It has been determined that our heroic pilot activated the ejection system at the last moment to abandon the aircraft. Our heroic pilot was martyred in the accident that occurred. The cause of the incident will be clarified after the detailed investigation by the crash investigation team. It is important not to rely on claims and comments other than our official statements on this matter. We once again wish God's mercy upon our dear martyr who lost his life in this incident that has plunged us into deep pain and sorrow; we extend our condolences and patience to his grieving family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

"CLAIMS THAT TURKEY PLANS TO ENTER IRANIAN TERRITORY DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUTH"

Ministry of National Defense sources also made an assessment regarding the developments in Iran.

Stating that Turkey continues its efforts to resolve all conflicts in the region through peaceful means and to establish permanent stability, the statement noted that necessary measures are being taken in coordination with relevant institutions against potential risks. The Ministry of National Defense said, "Claims in some press and social media publications that 'Turkey plans to enter Iranian territory for security reasons in case the US attacks Iran' do not reflect the truth."

US WITHDRAWAL FROM SYRIA

In the statement, it was expressed that Syria's joining the Coalition to Defeat ISIS as the 90th member and the government's increasing its authority in the country are considered to be influential in the US reconsidering its military presence in Syria.

It was noted that the US activities in Syria and Iraq are being closely followed in coordination with the relevant units of the state, as are all developments in the region.

Stating that support is provided for the organization of the Somali Armed Forces and their fight against terrorism within the framework of the agreements signed between Somalia and Turkey, the statement reported that activities to protect the security of Somalia's economic resources and Turkey's national interests are continuing. The statement included the following: "As we have announced before, S-400 air defense systems have been purchased in line with the operational needs of our Turkish Armed Forces and are ready for duty. There is no planning for the use of S-400 air defense systems in Somalia. Speculations are made from time to time in some press organs and social media regarding the S-400s. It is important not to rely on claims and comments other than our statements on this matter."

News Source: 12punto