Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that access to an air base in Turky and an agreement to help train and equip moderate Syrian forces would provide key military assistance in the fight against Islamic State militants.
{mosads}Hagel said the U.S. would like to station various aircraft at the air base near the Syrian border, and that Turkey has military capabilities that would help defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Hagel made the remarks as the U.S. is increasing airstrikes around the Kurdish town of Kobani in northern Syria, which defense officials admit could fall to ISIS.