Serving in the shadows

The Jandarma Havacılık Komutanliği (Gendarmerie Aviation Command) is one of Turkey’s most elusive air arms. Marco Dijkshoorn assesses its assets, capabilities and recent developments. Turkish Gendarmerie The S-70A Black Hawk is the mainstay of the Jandarma Özel Harekat (Gendarmerie Special Operation Forces). The sensor suite – including a forwardlooking infrared – is optimised for night operations, with a colour scheme to match. All photos Marco Dijkshoorn A line-up at Ankara-Güvercinlik of three of the helicopter types used by the Jandarma: