66th Mechanized Infantry Division
{{Short description|Military unit of the Turkish Land Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 66th Mechanized Infantry Division
| native_name = 66. Mekanize Piyade Tümeni
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| dates =
| country = Turkey
| branch = Turkish Land Forces
| type = Mechanized infantry and division
| role = Mechanized warfare
| size = ~4,200 personnel (core)
| command_structure = 3rd Army
| garrison = Çorlu, Tekirdağ Province
| garrison_label =
| mascot =
| equipment =
| commander1 =
| commander1_label =
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| battles =
| notable_commands = 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
}}
The 66th Mechanized Infantry Division,{{efn|{{lang|tr|66. Mekanize Piyade Tümeni}}, {{IPA|tr|ˈaltmış ˈdötrünc mekɑnize pijaˈde tɯˈmeni}}}} is a mechanized infantry and division of the Turkish Land Forces, headquartered in Çorlu, Turkey. It consists of approximately 4,200 troops and has participated in NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) since 2021, when Turkey assumed leadership of the force for the first time. It is part of the 3rd Corps and the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC-T).{{cite web | title=News: Turkey takes charge of NATO high readiness force, 01-Jan.-2021 | website=NATO | date=1 Jan 2021 | url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_180627.htm | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}{{cite web | title=Turkish Land Forces 66th Mechanised Brigade Participates in Exercise Brilliant Jump | website=MILITARYLEAK.COM | date=17 Mar 2024 | url=https://militaryleak.com/2024/03/17/turkish-land-forces-66th-mechanised-brigade-participates-in-exercise-brilliant-jump/ | access-date=24 Dec 2024}} Along with VJTF, the total personnel strength expands to around 6,400 soldiers.{{cite web | last=Sakoufaki | first=Ioanna | title=Turkey to take charge of key NATO force | website=Turkey to take charge of key NATO force | date=30 Dec 2020 | url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-to-take-charge-of-key-nato-force-42825 | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}
Structure
The 66th Mechanized Infantry Division is part of the 3rd Corps under the command of the First Army, located in Şişli, Istanbul. Within the division, the 52nd Armored Division is included, which consists of the 1st and 2nd Armored Brigades. The 1st Armored Brigade is stationed in Hadımköy, while the 2nd Armored Brigade is based in Kartal, both in Istanbul.{{cite web | last=Pike | first=John | title=Order of Battle | website=GlobalSecurity.org | date=1 Jan 1970 | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tu-army-orbat.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204192254/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/tu-army-orbat.htm | archive-date=4 Dec 2011 | url-status=live | access-date=24 Dec 2024}} The 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade was previously located in Hasdal, Istanbul. However, it was relocated to Çorlu, Tekirdağ Province.
- First Army – Selimiye Barracks, Istanbul
- 3rd Corps – Şişli, Istanbul
- 52nd Armored Division
- 1st Armored Brigade – Hadımköy, Istanbul
- 2nd Armored Brigade – Kartal, Istanbul
- 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade – Çorlu, Tekirdağ Province
Coup attempt
In the indictment concerning 132 high-ranking officers, 55 of whom were under arrest as of 2017, details emerged about their involvement in the 2016 coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). These personnel were allegedly responsible for organizing the coup on the European Side of Istanbul and held a meeting at the 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command in Esenler.{{cite web | title='Darbeci şüpheliler vatansever asker ve polislerle çatıştı' | website=Anadolu Ajansı | date=22 Sep 2017 | url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/darbeci-supheliler-vatansever-asker-ve-polislerle-catisti/916765 | language=tr | access-date=24 Dec 2024}} The brigade played a central role during the coup attempt, with armored vehicles being deployed to key locations such as Atatürk Airport and Vatan Avenue. The indictment included details reflected in the crime scene's camera footage, providing crucial evidence of the events that transpired at the brigade command.
Following the failed coup attempt, armored vehicles were relocated from the Baştabya Barracks, affiliated with the 66th Mechanized Armored Infantry Brigade Command. This was part of a broader initiative to move military barracks out of Istanbul and Ankara.{{cite web | title=İstanbul'da bulunan 66. Mekanize Piyade Tugay Komutanlığı Tekirdağ'a taşınıyor | website=Habertürk | date=22 Aug 2016 | url=https://m.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1285897-istanbulda-bulunan-66-mekazize-piyade-tugay-komutanligi-tekirdaga-tasiniyor | language=tr | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}
Since the coup was executed, the brigade was permanently moved to Çorlu district of Tekirdağ Province in the same year on 22 August 2016.{{cite web | title=66. Mekanize Zırhlı Tugayı Tekirdağ'a Taşınıyor | website=Haberler | date=22 Aug 2016 | url=https://www.haberler.com/guncel/66-mekanize-zirhli-tugayi-tekirdag-a-tasiniyor-8718311-haberi/ | language=tr | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}{{cite web | last=Merkezi | first=Haber | title=İstanbul ve Ankara'da zırhlı birlikler boşaltılıyor | website=Sözcü | date=22 Aug 2016 | url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/66-mekanize-piyade-tugayi-bosaltiliyor-wp1360809 | language=tr | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}
Land allotment
A 130-hectare section of military land in Istanbul, home to the 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command, was allocated to TÜRGEV (Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation) to build a university. However, the allocation was canceled following TÜRGEV's involvement in the December 17 corruption investigation, which linked the foundation to Bilal Erdoğan, the son of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The process was suspended by the Ministry of Finance.{{cite web | title=Bilal Erdoğan'ın adı bu kez askeri arazide çıktı | website=Odatv | date=28 Jan 2014 | url=https://www.odatv.com/guncel/bilal-erdoganin-adi-bu-kez-askeri-arazide-cikti-52423?_gl=1*3ab0hr*_ga*YW1wLXFZZ0wxNkNzNUNaVmRxMWs0RlFmSExNT2Q4Q2NDSndGOUFzTTdwV0VyWWN4MFoxZC13MWtyUml1REMtUnVYMWo. | language=tr | access-date=24 Dec 2024}}
Footnotes
{{notelist}}