NATO Air Command bids farewell to Izmir

A closing ceremony for NATO Air Command was held in Turkey's western Izmir province on Wednesday. Serving since August 11, 2004 in Buca town of Izmir, NATO Air Command will close as a result of NATO's new organizational settlement. Speaking at the closing ceremony which was attended by more than 100 guests from eight headquarters in 12 NATO countries, Bruce Waid Clingan, an admiral serving as Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, thanked Turkey for its generosity towards NATO. For his part, Lieutenant General Ralph Jodice, commanding general for NATO Air Command, emphasized the beauty of Izmir and said that he would miss everything about the city including the weather, people and food, adding, "Izmir really is the pearl of the Aegean."