Jordan to launch comprehensive statistical survey of local tourism

Jordan to launch comprehensive statistical survey of local tourism

ANKARA: In a significant move aimed at bolstering their diplomatic ties, Turkiye and the US recently conducted extensive joint military exercises, marked by the momentous visit of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s cutting-edge aircraft carrier, to the Turkish port city of Antalya.

The joint military exercises, the most extensive in at least seven years, carry notable implications against the backdrop of an impending meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, next month.

The USS Gerald R. Ford’s voyage to Antalya, following its stops in Oslo, Norway; Split, Croatia; and Piraeus, Greece, showcased the commitment of both nations to fostering cooperation.

As the largest and newest aircraft carrier in the US Navy’s fleet, the vessel’s visit carries symbolic weight. Turkish naval ships including TCG Anadolu, Goksu, Gediz, Imbat, Meltem, Burakreis, as well as Turkish air force assets like F-16s, KC-135s, and P-72s, engaged in pre-arrival collaborative exercises with the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group, underscoring mutual commitment to Mediterranean security and bolstering partner interoperability.

“The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group operated with our partners in the Turkish navy and air force, executing a series of multi-domain exercises prior to our arrival in Antalya,” said Rear Adm.