Sykes visited the Dardanelles to investigate the confused air situation and after writing a report he was appointed as the Officer Commanding the Royal Naval Air Service Eastern Mediterranean Station on 24 July 1915 with the rank of colonel commandant in the Royal Marines as well as the rank of Wing Captain in the Royal Naval Air Service. This made Sykes the air commander for the Dardanelles Campaign. During this time he acted on the recommendations of his report, building up air forces that sunk several Turkish ships. He was honoured as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George on 14 March 1916 and mentioned in despatches on 16 March 1916.