History in Turkish Skies: First Woman to Receive General Rank in the Air Force

This week, history was made in Turkey's Supreme Military Council: Özlem Karapınar became the first woman in the country's history to receive the rank of general in the Turkish Air Force. Her promotion to brigadier general was announced as part of a broad round of appointments at the top of the armed forces, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after deliberations at the presidential palace in Ankara. According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, the council approved the promotion of 25 generals and admirals to higher ranks and elevated 69 officers to the ranks of general and admiral, effective August 30. Karapınar is not the first woman in the Turkish military overall to wear these ranks; in 2023, Gökçen Fırat became the first female admiral in the Navy. Alongside Karapınar, Turkey's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, was also promoted to brigadier general. The Air Force commander, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, retired and was replaced by General Rafet Dalkıran. In the Navy, the term of the top commander, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, was extended by one year. With the appointments taking effect, the number of generals and admirals will stand at 334. Erdoğan congratulated the new commanders on social media, and the head of communications, Burhanettin Duran, expressed confidence in the continued mission of the forces.