Turkish Army's top ranks take final shape

With the publication of the appointments of the Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) two senior commanders in the Official Gazette yesterday, the TSK's new command echelon has been fully shaped. Under the Supreme Military Council (YAS) decisions approved by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Miniser Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week and the additional two decrees, Gen. Isik Kosaner will become the new chief of General Staff. Gen. Erdal Ceylanoglu has been promoted to Turkey's new land forces commander. Naval Forces Commander Adm. Esref Ugur Yigit and Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Aksay will remain in their current posts for one more year. Also, 2nd Army Corps Commander Gen. Necdet Ozel will become Turkey's new gendarmerie general commander. Aegean Army Commander Gen. Hayri Kivrikoglu became the head of the 1st Army Corps, while Gen. Nusret Tasdeler succeeded him as Aegean Army commander. Lt. Gens. Yalcin Ataman and Servet Yoruk were both promoted to the rank of full general. While Gen. Ataman was assigned to the 3rd Army Corps Command, Gen. York became the head of the 2nd Army Corps Command. Third Army Corps Commander Gen. Saldiray Berk was appointed training and doctrine commander of the land forces. Outgoing 1st Army Corps Commander Gen. Hasan Igsiz will retire, as he was not assigned to a post. The new commanders will assume their posts by the end of the month in handover ceremonies.