What Time is it in Incirlik, Turkey? A Guide to the Local Timezone

Many wonder, what time is it in Incirlik, Turkey? This important Turkish air base operates on its own unique timezone. Read on for a guide to Incirlik time and how it differs from time in other parts of Turkey and the world.

Overview of Incirlik Air Base

Incirlik Air Base is located in southern Turkey, near the city of Adana. It has served as a major U.S. air force base and NATO base since the 1950s. Some key facts about Incirlik:

• Home to ~5,000 U.S. military personnel and also houses Turkish forces
• Strategic location close to Middle East hotspots
• Houses critical air refueling tankers, surveillance aircraft and nuclear stockpile
• Used for airstrikes against ISIS and operations in Iraq/Syria
• Site of major NATO southern region headquarters

Time Zone Used at Incirlik Air Base

Incirlik Air Base adheres to the following time zone

EEST – Eastern European Summer Time

Some key details on Eastern European Summer Time

• UTC Offset: +3 hours

• No DST Observed: Remains +3 hours year round

• Relation to Turkey Time: Same timezone used in Turkey (no DST)

So in practical terms, when it’s noon at Incirlik, it’s 3 AM on the U.S. East Coast. The time at Incirlik remains steady year round, since Daylight Saving Time is not observed.

How Incirlik Time Differs from U.S. Timezones

Due to the significant longitude difference between Turkey and the Americas time at Incirlik differs quite a bit from major U.S. time zones

• 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time
• 10 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Daylight Time
• 9 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time

This substantial time difference can make communication between Incirlik and U.S. bases challenging. Troops on deployment must adapt to the local rhythm of Turkey time at Incirlik.

Hourly Time Conversion from Incirlik to U.S. Time Zones

To get a better sense of the time variance, here’s a breakdown of how clock times convert between Incirlik and some major U.S. time zones:

Incirlik Time vs. EDT (NYC, Washington DC)

Incirlik Time vs. CDT (Chicago, Houston)

Incirlik Time vs. PDT (LA, San Francisco)

As shown, early morning in Incirlik aligns with late evening in the U.S. and midnight lines up with mid-afternoon. This can definitely take some adjustment!

How Daylight Saving Time Affects the Time Difference

The time variance between Incirlik and U.S. locations shrinks by an hour during parts of the year when the U.S. observes Daylight Saving Time and Turkey does not.

For example, in the summer, Eastern Daylight Time is:

• 6 hours behind Incirlik (instead of 7 hours)
• 9 hours behind during standard Eastern time in winter

So DST changes in the spring and fall slightly alter the time difference for several months.

Tips for Managing the Time Difference

The major time variance can create logistical challenges. Here are some tips for managing:

• Use time conversion tools – Quickly convert Incirlik time to local time in meetings or calls.

• Have flexible communication hours – Set meetings for early or late in base time to align with US.

• Allow extra response time – Understand replies from U.S. may be delayed by the time change.

• Post adjusted office hours – List team availability in both Incirlik time and U.S. timezones.

• Take advantage of late time – Use evenings for independent work while U.S. sleeps.

Daylight Hours at Incirlik Air Base

In addition to the time zone difference, personnel at Incirlik must adapt to the day length in Turkey:

• Summer – Over 15 hours of daylight near summer solstice
• Winter – Under 10 hours of daylight in winter months
• Sunrise – Between 5:30am and 7:30am depending on season
• Sunset – Between 4:30pm and 8pm depending on season

So while the timezone remains steady, daylight hours vary dramatically by season. This can impact daily rhythms and schedules.

Key Takeaways on Incirlik Time

• Incirlik uses Eastern European Time (UTC+3) with no DST
• It is 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time
• The time difference shrinks an hour during U.S. Daylight Saving Time
• Major adjustments are needed to coordinate across time zones
• Day length in Turkey also varies widely by season

Understanding the Incirlik timezone allows personnel to coordinate more effectively and plan their daily cycles for success.