66th Mechanized Infantry Division

66th Mechanized Infantry Division
66. Mekanize Piyade Tümeni
CountryTurkey
BranchTurkish Land Forces
TypeMechanized infantry and division
RoleMechanized warfare
Size~4,200 personnel (core)
Part of3rd Army
Garrison/HQÇorlu, Tekirdağ Province

The 66th Mechanized Infantry Division,[a] is a mechanized infantry and division of the Turkish Land Forces, headquartered in Çorlu, Turkey. It consists of approximately 4,200 troops and has participated in NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) since 2021, when Turkey assumed leadership of the force for the first time. It is part of the 3rd Corps and the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC-T).[1][2] Along with VJTF, the total personnel strength expands to around 6,400 soldiers.[3]

Structure

The 66th Mechanized Infantry Division is part of the 3rd Corps under the command of the First Army, located in Şişli, Istanbul. Within the division, the 52nd Armored Division is included, which consists of the 1st and 2nd Armored Brigades. The 1st Armored Brigade is stationed in Hadımköy, while the 2nd Armored Brigade is based in Kartal, both in Istanbul.[4] The 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade was previously located in Hasdal, Istanbul. However, it was relocated to Çorlu, Tekirdağ Province.

Coup attempt

In the indictment concerning 132 high-ranking officers, 55 of whom were under arrest as of 2017, details emerged about their involvement in the 2016 coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). These personnel were allegedly responsible for organizing the coup on the European Side of Istanbul and held a meeting at the 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command in Esenler.[5] The brigade played a central role during the coup attempt, with armored vehicles being deployed to key locations such as Atatürk Airport and Vatan Avenue.[6] The indictment included details reflected in the crime scene's camera footage, providing crucial evidence of the events that transpired at the brigade command.[5]

Following the failed coup attempt, armored vehicles were relocated from the Baştabya Barracks, affiliated with the 66th Mechanized Armored Infantry Brigade Command. This was part of a broader initiative to move military barracks out of Istanbul and Ankara.[6]

Since the coup was executed, the brigade was permanently moved to Çorlu district of Tekirdağ Province in the same year on 22 August 2016.[7][8]

Land allotment

A 130-hectare section of military land in Istanbul, home to the 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command, was allocated to TÜRGEV (Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation) to build a university. However, the allocation was canceled following TÜRGEV's involvement in the December 17 corruption investigation, which linked the foundation to Bilal Erdoğan, the son of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The process was suspended by the Ministry of Finance.[9]

Footnotes

  1. ^ 66. Mekanize Piyade Tümeni, Turkish pronunciation: [ˈaltmış ˈdötrünc mekɑnize pijaˈde tɯˈmeni]

References

  1. ^ "News: Turkey takes charge of NATO high readiness force, 01-Jan.-2021". NATO. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Turkish Land Forces 66th Mechanised Brigade Participates in Exercise Brilliant Jump". MILITARYLEAK.COM. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  3. ^ Sakoufaki, Ioanna (30 December 2020). "Turkey to take charge of key NATO force". Turkey to take charge of key NATO force. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  4. ^ Pike, John (1 January 1970). "Order of Battle". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b "'Darbeci şüpheliler vatansever asker ve polislerle çatıştı'". Anadolu Ajansı (in Turkish). 22 September 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b "İstanbul'da bulunan 66. Mekanize Piyade Tugay Komutanlığı Tekirdağ'a taşınıyor". Habertürk (in Turkish). 22 August 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  7. ^ "66. Mekanize Zırhlı Tugayı Tekirdağ'a Taşınıyor". Haberler (in Turkish). 22 August 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. ^ Merkezi, Haber (22 August 2016). "İstanbul ve Ankara'da zırhlı birlikler boşaltılıyor". Sözcü (in Turkish). Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Bilal Erdoğan'ın adı bu kez askeri arazide çıktı". Odatv (in Turkish). 28 January 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2024.