Turkey Assumes Command of Major NATO Force, Leads 2,000 Troops in Largest 2024 Drills

Turkey Assumes Command of Major NATO Force, Leads 2,000 Troops in Largest 2024 Drills Turkey has taken command of a key NATO naval strike force and is deploying thousands of troops to lead major alliance exercises in Europe, showcasing its growing role in transatlantic security. The Turkish Naval Forces formally assumed control of the NATO Amphibious Task Force and its Landing Force Command on July 1, a role it will hold for one year [54453]. This powerful naval group is designed for assaults from sea to land and gives Turkey responsibility for planning and leading NATO exercises and potential missions in the region. Concurrently, approximately 2,000 Turkish troops are deploying to Germany to participate in NATO's largest exercise of 2024, Steadfast Defender 24 [70222]. The first Turkish military aircraft have already landed at Germany’s Wunstorf Air Base, marking the start of the drills which run from February 8 to February 20 across Europe [70222]. In a separate but related naval exercise, Turkish naval and army units are conducting joint amphibious operations in Germany this week as part of the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart 2026 [80228]. A key feature of Turkey's involvement in these drills is the operational use of its own domestically produced defense platforms [80228]. These movements are part of NATO's broader reinforcement of its eastern flank and demonstrate the alliance's ability to rapidly deploy forces across member states [70222]. The assignment of command is a routine rotation among member nations, but the scale of Turkey's simultaneous participation in major exercises underscores its active military profile within the alliance [54453]. Turkey Assumes Command of Key NATO Naval Strike Force **NATO's Biggest 2024 Drill Begins with Turkish Troops Landing in Germany** Turkish Forces Deploy Homegrown Tech in Major NATO Drill