F-16 fighters for Ocalan
A helicopter flying low over the Marmara Sea threw military observers into a state of high alert yesterday, prompting them to send two F-16s from Bandirma air base in hot pursuit, trying to stop an attack on the Imrali island prison home of PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Except it wasn't an attack. Businessman Can Ucerler hired a Bell 206 B-3 helicopter from Sancak Air and was buzzing the water, looking for business partner, Nezihi Ergur, who was lost along with his yacht.
Ucerler failed to deliver a flight plan to the Air Defence Notification Centre (ADNC) in Ankara, hence the confusion. The ADNC couldn't reach the mysterious helicopter by radio because it was flying at too low.
Fearful of a possible attack on Imrali Island, Ankara ADNC notified the military, which sent the two F-16 fighter planes in pursuit of the helicopter. After making contact with Ucerler, the fighter planes returned to base.
A helicopter flying low over the Marmara Sea threw military observers into a state of high alert yesterday, prompting them to send two F-16s from Bandirma air base in hot pursuit, trying to stop an attack on the Imrali island prison home of PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Except it wasn't an attack. Businessman Can Ucerler hired a Bell 206 B-3 helicopter from Sancak Air and was buzzing the water, looking for business partner, Nezihi Ergur, who was lost along with his yacht.
Ucerler failed to deliver a flight plan to the Air Defence Notification Centre (ADNC) in Ankara, hence the confusion. The ADNC couldn't reach the mysterious helicopter by radio because it was flying at too low.
Fearful of a possible attack on Imrali Island, Ankara ADNC notified the military, which sent the two F-16 fighter planes in pursuit of the helicopter. After making contact with Ucerler, the fighter planes returned to base.