An important procedure took place in Operation Spring Shield, which was launched after the attack by the Syrian Army in Idlib.

The Turkish Armed Forces (Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri / TSK) announced that all aircraft approaching the Turkish operation area will be intercepted within the framework of the engagement rules. In this context, yesterday, two Su-24 (NATO Code: Fencer) belonging to the Syrian Air Force which entered the region threatening the security of Turkish personnel were shot-down.

A different procedure was followed to engage to platforms identified and intercepted by the Turkish Air Force. Su-24s became victims of network-based warfare, according to information revealed on social media and not yet confirmed by official authorities. After the departure of the Syrian aircraft, two F-16 Block 50 Fighting Falcons affiliated to the 152th Fleet (Call Name: Akıncılar / Raiders) based in Adana Incirlik Air Base immediately arrived in the region with a scramble departure.

As the two aircraft did not leave the area, an F-16 approached the Su-24 without operating its radar. Thus, the aircraft that entered the effective range without being detected nad launched its AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) in the direction of the target without radar lock. Missiles directed to their targets by receiving radar data from a E-7T Peace Eagle AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning / Control) aircraft, which was carrying out a patrol mission in the region. The AIM-120C-7s, which were forwarded to the target in the light of the radar data received from HEIK until the start of the missile's guidance with its own radar became Pitbull and successfully destroyed the Su-24s.

Thus, the Turkish Armed Forces tested its combat capability with a significant experience in a network-centric warfare environment.