TLP 21-3

The Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) was established in 1978. Initially the exercise started at Jever air base (Germany), moved to Florennes air base (Belgium) in 1989 and finally was established at Albacete/Los Llanos air base (Spain) in 2009.

The TLP is a unique, stand alone organisation based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Air Forces of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and US.

Throughout the 43 years of history, the TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training, development of knowledge and leadership skills, necessary to face today’s air tactical challenges.

This training exercise has gained wide fame in Europe because it is one of the annual exercises of the European allies like the US Red Flag exercises, but it is limited to European based participants only including US Air Force Europe.

Due to the TLP being located in Spain it is headed by an Ejército del Aire (EdA, Spanish Air Force) Colonel who is in charge of two Branches (Flying and Academic Branch) and a Support Unit. The heads of the Flying and Academics Branches are drawn in rotation whereas the head of the Support Unit is always Spanish.

  
The three week Flying Course of TLP21-3 ran from 13 September to 1 October 2021. The participants were:

Ejercito de l Aire (EdA, Spanish Air Force)
EF2000 from Ala 11 at Sevilla/Morón: C.16-38/11-38 and C.16-55/11-55
EF-18M from Ala 12 at Madrid/Torrejón: C.15-55/12-13 and C.15-60/12/18
EF2000 from Ala 14 at Albacete/Los Llanos: C.16-45/14-45 and C.16-61/14-61
EF-18M from Ala 15 at Zaragoza: C.15-23/15-10, C.15-27/15-14 and C.15-31/15-18
Vzdušné síly armády České republiky (CzAF, Czech Air Force)
L-159A from 212.tl at Cáslav: 6050, 6051 and 6070 (special mks)
Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force)
E-3F from EDCA01.036 at Avord: 201/36-CA
Marine Nationale (French Navy)
E-2C from 4F at Lorient/Lann-Bihoué: 2
Rafale M from 12F at Landivisiau: 16, 19, 32 (special mks), 36, 41, 44 (special mks), 45 and 46
Luftwaffe (GAF, German Air Force)
EF2000 from TLG71 at Wittmund: 30+52, 30+86, 30+87, 30+92, 31+12, 31+16, 31+44 and 31+53
Magyar Légierö (HuAF, Hungarian Air Force)
JAS39C from MH 59 at Kecskemét: 31 (to be confirmed), 32 and 37
Aeronautica Militare (AMI, Italian Air Force)
F-2000A from 4° Stormo at Grosseto: MM7300/4-44 and MM7326/4-46
F-2000A from 37° Stormo at Trapani/Birgi: MM7321/37-12 and MM7292/37-21
USAFE
F-16CM from 480th FS ('SP') at Spangdahlem: 90-0813, 90-0829 and 91-0352
Gesellschaft für Flugzieldarstellung (GFD)
Learjet 35A: D-CGFC

For details on the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP), its history, the Flying Courses, the Missions and more, please visit the TLP pages on the Scramble Magazine website.

Photos by Jose Rodriguez / JJ Aviation Photos