Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar to offer condolences to Türkiye following the devastating earthquake there. Secretary Austin offered U.S. support to Turkish relief efforts and pledged ongoing assistance as Türkiye’s needs evolved. Minister Akar thanked Secretary Austin and emphasized the positive impact U.S.-Türkiye cooperation at Incirlik Airbase was having on relief efforts.