 After being promoted to rear admiral (UH) in August 1994, Karahanoğlu served as the head of the Logistics Directorate (TNFC HQ), and the commander of the Surface Action Group for two years each successively.In August 1998, he was promoted to vice admiral and assigned as the head of the Inspection and Evaluation Directorate at TNFC HQ until August 1999.He then subsequently served as the chief of staff of TNFC between 1999 and 2001 and the commander of Southern Sea Area Command from 2001 to 2003.