With modernisation of infrastructure, weapons and training starting in the early 1980s, the Turkish Air Force (TAF) realised the philosophy that “no matter how modern the weapons are, it is men that use them.”
When the TAF gained experience during internal security operations and the Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo Wars, it was decided that the TAF had reached a performance level where it could host the air forces of other countries in exercises and provide training to them.
The Anatolian Eagle exercises are stated to be similar to the USA’s Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base.

The TAF first sent observers to Red Flag in 1983 and participated for the first time in 1997 with six F-16s and 57 personnel. Two ‘Flag’ type exercises were held 1998 called Anatolian Flag at Incirlik Air Base.

The first exercise, Anatolian Eagle 01, was held by TAF Operations Command on 18–29 June 2001. As well as Turkey, the air forces of USA and Israel also participated.
After the alleged coup attempt in 2016, no Anatolian Eagle exercises were held in 2017 and 2018, but they returned in 2019.
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic meant another year without Anatilian Eagle, but since 2021 the exercise is held again.