U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Campbell, 39th Air Base Wing chaplain, and his wife, Kristin Campbell, pose for a photo at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Aug. 7, 2025. After nearly a decade, Incirlik Air Base has welcomed back its first spouse to be stationed here since military and civilian family members were ordered to leave the country in 2016 in light of growing security threats in Turkey. (Noah Sudolcan/U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force’s main hub in Turkey has reintroduced its command sponsorship program and welcomed back its first military family member in nearly a decade.

Air Force Capt. Matt Campbell, 39th Air Base Wing chaplain, and his wife, Kristin Campbell, arrived at Incirlik Air Base late last month, according to a statement released by the wing Friday.

“Two years together is better than one year apart,” Campbell said of joining her husband on his latest assignment. “And if I can help other people (through this process), I will.”

Incirlik, the primary military site used by U.S. forces in Turkey, stopped hosting military and civilian family members in 2016, when the Pentagon ordered more than 600 dependents to leave due to heightened security threats. The base near the southern Turkish city of Adana is about 200 miles away from the border with Syria.

U.S. Air Force chaplain Capt. Matt Campbell and his wife, Kristin Campbell, are shown at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Aug. 7, 2025. She is the first U.S. military dependent to be stationed at Incirlik since 2016, when family members of Defense Department personnel were ordered to leave the country amid growing security threats. (Noah Sudolcan/U.S. Air Force)

After announcing plans to welcome family members in April, Air Force officials said the security situation had improved, citing partnerships with the Turkish military and regional police.

“We’re very happy to welcome the return of our first dependent to Incirlik,” Air Force Col. Albert Esposito, 39th Air Base Wing commander, said in Friday’s statement. “Over the past nine months, our team worked diligently to ensure the appropriate infrastructure and resources were in place to make this a reality.”

Military and civilian employees assigned to Incirlik will continue to receive the standard 12-month unaccompanied tour but can apply for a 24-month accompanied tour to bring dependents 18 years of age or older.

There are no dependent age restrictions for tours to other locations in Turkey, such as Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, which is home to a NATO command headquarters.