Do you find the travel ban for Turkey concerning?

2015-11-03T09:59:06-05:00

U.S. Army Europe has implemented a ban on travel to Turkey by Defense Department personnel given growing security concerns in the country.

All military and civilian workers, including those with dual citizenship, are prohibited from unofficial travel through Nov. 9, USAREUR announced on its Facebook page.

Official travel requires general officer approval.

After Nov. 9, unofficial and official travel — including ship-to-shore travel from cruises in Turkey — will also require general officer approval, USAREUR said.

In addition, DOD employees traveling in Turkey “should avoid public protests, demonstrations, rallies or other large gatherings to the greatest extent possible,” USAREUR said. “They should remain alert to suspicious behavior and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

The decision expands travel restrictions already in place.

Since August, the military has restricted all travel to southeastern Turkey, where general officer approval has been required for official and unofficial visits.

“Before making travel plans to Turkey, whether for official reasons or vacation, DOD personnel should talk to their organization’s security or antiterrorism officers,” USAREUR said.

In September, the Defense and State Departments offered dependents of personnel stationed at Incirlik Air Base and nearby Adana the option of returning to the States and the Air Force suspended families of servicemembers moving to Incirlik.

Those moves followed Turkey’s decision to allow the U.S. to fly fighter jets and drones out of Incirlik as part of the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

Turkey, which has also stepped up its involvement in the fight against the Islamic State, has been wracked by violence in recent months. Last month, twin suicide bombings at a peace rally by pro-Kurdish activists in the capital Ankara killed more than 100 people. Authorities said the Islamic State was likely behind those attacks as well as one in July that killed more than 30 people in the town of Suruc near the Syrian border.

Meanwhile, fighting has flared anew between Turkish security forces and Kurdish rebels.

US military expands travel restrictions to Turkey

U.S. Army Europe has implemented a ban on travel to Turkey by Defense Department personnel given growing security concerns in the country.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 3 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-11-03T10:00:27-05:00

I really had no desire to go anywhere near that area!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-11-03T10:00:51-05:00

Nope. Never had any plans to go there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-11-03T10:14:36-05:00

There goes my Thanksgiving plans.

Response by SSgt Kendall Byrd made Nov 3 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-11-03T10:16:45-05:00

It's been on and off for the past 25 years hasn't it? No big thing.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 3 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-11-03T10:23:06-05:00

I find it concerning because why the sudden travel ban to Turkey????

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-11-03T10:33:03-05:00

Nothing unusual about the travel ban to Turkey since they changed it to a restricted tour and all of unrest in the region.

Response by SSgt Kendall Byrd made Nov 3 at 2015 10:55 AM

2015-11-03T10:55:19-05:00

You mean disconcerting?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 3 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-11-03T11:44:06-05:00

Only because we have people (AD and CIV) in that AO...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-11-03T11:47:25-05:00

Turkey is going down in flame!!!!!! .... wait ... I am jumping the gun .... right? ok ... I will wait for a few months then do this all over again!!!