Turkish Stars
The Turkish Stars (Turkish: Türk Yıldızları) are the aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force and the national aerobatics team of Turkey.
| Turkish Stars | |
|---|---|
Turkish Stars emblem | |
| Active | November 7, 1992 |
| Country | Turkey |
| Branch | Turkish Air Force |
| Role | Aerobatic demonstration Team |
| Size | 10 Pilots, 7 Public affairs, 11 Maintenance personnel |
| Garrison/HQ | Konya Air Base |
| Motto(s) | A perfect harmony of skill, speed and discipline... |
| Colors | Red, White, Gray |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major Esra Özatay |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | 10 NF-5A Freedom Fighter 2 NF-5B Freedom Fighter |
| Transport | 1 C-130 1 C-160 1 CASA/IPTN CN-235 |
The team was formed on November 7, 1992, and was named the Turkish Stars on January 11, 1993.
Turkish Stars fly with eight Canadair NF-5 fighter planes obtained from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, making them one of few national aerobatics teams to fly supersonic aircraft. Twelve NF-5 fighter planes are available to the team. The team uses CASA/IPTN CN-235, C-130 and C-160 support aircraft in Turkish Stars colours. The team is stationed at the Konya Air Base of 3rd Main Jet Base Group Command. As a part of modernization programs of the Turkish Air Force, the NF-5 aircraft are planned to be replaced with locally produced TAI Hurjet in mid 2020s.
On August 24, 2001, the Turkish Stars demonstrated at an airshow to more than one million people in Baku, Azerbaijan, setting a world record.