04.08.2026 16:31
The decisions of the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ), convened under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have been announced. In line with the decisions taken, Major General Mete Kuş, who flew jets and helicopters over the stadium in the Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match to support Konyaspor, was retired due to lack of cadre.
Former Konya 3rd Main Jet Base and Garrison Commander Major General Mete Kuş was retired due to lack of positions before completing the normal rank waiting period, as part of the 2026 Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) decisions. Kuş had been assigned to the Air Force Command following military flights conducted around the stadium during the Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match in April.
During the 2026 YAŞ meeting held at the Presidential Complex under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, decisions were made regarding the promotions, tenure extensions, and retirements of generals, admirals, and colonels in the Turkish Armed Forces.
Within the scope of the council decisions, former Konya 3rd Main Jet Base and Garrison Commander Major General Mete Kuş was retired effective August 30, 2026, due to lack of positions before completing his normal rank waiting period.
Kuş had been promoted from Brigadier General to Major General with the 2024 YAŞ decisions. Thus, Kuş's tenure at the rank of Major General ended before the normal waiting period was completed.
HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS
While serving as the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base and Garrison Commander, Major General Mete Kuş was removed from his post in April 2026 and assigned to the Air Force Command. Brigadier General Esat Çetin, Commander of the Bandırma 6th Main Jet Base, was appointed in Kuş's place.
No official reason was provided by authorities regarding the change of duty. According to allegations, it was made following low-altitude flights conducted with F-16 fighter jets and military helicopters near the stadium during the Konyaspor-Fenerbahçe match played on April 21. The intense noise caused by the flights was also reflected in the live broadcast of the match. However, no connection between Kuş's dismissal and these flights was confirmed by official authorities.
WHO IS METE KUŞ?
Mete Kuş was born in 1971 in the Turgutlu district of Manisa. He graduated from Kuleli Military High School in 1989 and the Air Force Academy in 1993, joining the Turkish Air Force with the rank of second lieutenant. He completed his pilot training in İzmir Çiğli.
Kuş, an F-16 and F-5 pilot, served in flight duties at the 192nd Tiger Squadron in Balıkesir. Throughout his career, he served as Weapons Tactics Instructor at the 141st Wolf Squadron, Commander of the 132nd Weapons and Tactics Squadron, and Red Force Wing Commander. Kuş also became the founding commander of the 135th Personnel Rescue Squadron.
Kuş, who served as the Commander of the Merzifon 5th Main Jet Base for a period, was promoted to Brigadier General with the 2020 YAŞ decisions and to Major General in 2024. Kuş's most recent position was Commander of the Konya 3rd Main Jet Base and Garrison.