F-100 monument used in Cyprus Peace Operation inaugurated in Kyrenia, Turkish Cyprus

The monument of the F-100 Super Sabre fighter jet used 50 years ago during the Cyprus Peace Operation, was inaugurated in Kyrenia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The opening ceremony for the “monumental aircraft” at Alsancak Yavuz Landing Beach –one of the initial landing sites of Turkish soldiers in Cyprus – featured notable attendees including TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Prime Minister Unal Ustel, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Metin Feyzioglu, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Guler among others.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by information about the commemorated aircraft.

The F-100 fighter jet with tail number 54-1903, which played an active role in the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974, entered the inventory of the Turkish Air Force in 1973. It was decommissioned in 1986, maintained, and brought to the TRNC.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the monument, visitors toured the area featuring the photos and information of Pilot Lieutenant Ilker Karter, Air Controller Master Sergeant Sami Emen, Pilot Captain Cengiz Topel and Pilot Major Fehmi Ercan.

Since last year, a military helicopter and ship that served in the Cyprus Peace Operation have also been displayed as monuments at the same beach.