Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was on Tuesday awarded Turkey's Legion of Merit in a ceremony held at the Turkish Air Force Headquarters in Istanbul. The award was conferred in recognition of his services for the promotion of defence ties between the air forces of the two countries.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is presently on an official visit to Turkey on the invitation of the Turkish Air Force.

A contingent of the Turkish Air Force had presented the Chief of the Air Staff with the guard of honor on his arrival at the headquarters of the Turkish Air Force prior to the investiture ceremony.

After the ceremony, the air chief called on Gen Abidin Ünal, the commander of the Turkish Air Force, at his office. During the meeting, the air chief highlighted Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) key role in the ongoing counter terrorism operations in Pakistan. He also reiterated his commitment to enhance cooperation with Turkey in the fields of security, training and information technology.

Gen Abidin Ünal is said to have lauded the role played by PAF in the success of Operation Zarb-i-Azb. He also thanked the air chief for enhancing defense ties between the two countries.

Air Chief Marshal Aman also met Dr Ismail Demir, Turkey's undersecretary for defence industries, during his visit.