The multinational headquarters, comprising staff from eleven NATO Allies, has conducted four Flying Courses in 2024. These courses aim to improve the tactical leadership and flying skills of front-line fighter Mission Commanders (MCs), enhance the tactical interoperability of NATO Air Forces by acquainting them with the tactics and capabilities of other Air Forces, and provide a flying laboratory for tactical employment concepts.
Approximately 900 people participated in the course, leading to 37 graduates, including aircrew, intelligence officers, and tactical air controllers, enhancing NATO's operational readiness and focus on integrating fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft capabilities.
"For over four decades, the TLP has been pivotal in developing Allied aircrew expertise in Composite Air Operations (COMAO)," said Colonel César Óscar Acebes Puertas, TLP Commandant, reflecting on the course's outcomes. "This session demonstrated our continued commitment to adapting to emerging technologies and modern aircraft, ensuring NATO’s tactical air operations remain unmatched."
The Tactical Leadership Program at Albacete Air Base in Spain successfully concluded the final Flying Course of 2024, producing aircrew fully trained to NATO standards and prepared to engage in the Alliance's Composite Air Operations as required.
The TLP Flying Course 2024-4 highlighted NATO's emphasis on incorporating fifth-generation aircraft, such as the F-35, into operational structures. Nations including Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, and France deployed 22 aircraft on the Blue side as allied forces, while Red Air, symbolizing adversary forces, operated ten aircraft. Additionally, NATO's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) offered crucial air battle management support during the training.
The course integrated live operations with advanced synthetic training, utilizing tools such as the MACE simulator to generate realistic, high-pressure scenarios. Spanish Air and Space Force MQ-9 Predator B drones and German JAMKITE electronic warfare systems introduced additional complexity, while air defence systems from various Allied nations enhanced the missions' realism.
TLP 2024-4 highlighted the ongoing importance of the multinational program. By incorporating advanced technology and promoting multinational cooperation, the course ensured that NATO stays at the leading edge of tactical air operations, ready to tackle evolving security challenges throughout the Alliance.
"The ability to interoperate on the ground, cross-servicing aircraft between NATO partners, enhances the agility and speed of response of our Combat Air forces. We are delighted to be working so closely with our Italian partners on Typhoon and F-35B interoperability, laying strong foundations for wider Global Combat Air Programme engineering cooperation." Said Air Vice-Marshal Harris, RAF Director of Support and Chief Engineer.
The Tactical Leadership Programme was founded in 1978, starting in Germany, then relocating to Belgium in 1989, and ultimately being set up at Albacete Air Base in 2009. In addition to the Host Nation Spain, the contributing nations to the TLP include Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The training facilities are available to all NATO Allies and Partners upon request.
On November 26, during a ceremony in Albacete, Portugal joined the TLP, becoming the eleventh member to support the programme.
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