Exclusive: U.S. will not accept more Turkish F-35 pilots over Russia defenses - sources

[mfcorey1]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train on F-35 fighter jets, U.S. officials say, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara's plans to purchase Russian air defenses.

The two NATO allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey's order for Russia's S-400 air defense system, which Washington says poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealthy fighters, which Turkey also plans to buy.


The United States says Turkey cannot have both, but has avoided taking steps until now to curtail or halt planned training of Turkish pilots in the program, a reprisal that could be seen as an embarrassment in Turkey.

The two U.S. officials, who spoke to Reuters this week on condition of anonymity, left open the possibility the decision could be reversed, perhaps if Turkey altered its plans. They said the decision so far only applied to upcoming rounds of Turkish pilots and maintenance crews who would have normally come to the United States.

There has not yet been a formal decision to halt the training of the Turkish pilots and maintenance crews now at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the sources said. Still, Reuters reported last week that the step was being seriously considered.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/exclusive-us-will-not-accept-more-turkish-f-35-pilots-over-russia-defenses-sources/ar-AACvak5?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout

[marble falls]

1. This makes how many US allies Trumps lost?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

2. Another sign the U.S. has stopped doing diplomacy.

tRump's people seem only to know bullying, which will get us nowhere with Ankara, IMO.

Here's what could potentially be restricted, marginalized or lost:

Turkey Military Bases

Link: https://militarybases.com/overseas/turkey/

Snips:

Incirlik Air Base is one of the major strategically located US military bases. The base is in Turkey, which means that it is operated by both the US and the Turkish governments, unlike other co-bases. Most other military installations are operated by the US government, but under the regulation of the hosting government.

Izmir Air Base, Turkey is one of the strategic military installations run by the US Air Force in Europe. It is almost 400 km away from Istanbul, in one of the oldest and largest cities of Turkey. It is also close to the Aegean Sea, which means it has direct access to the Middle East.

KY......