TLP 2004-5; Danish Dynamite at the last Florennes TLP of 2004
The Tactical Leadership Programme was founded in the late 19seventies. Its purpose was to join allied forces and train together in joint operations, but also to generate leaders for challenging multinational air defence and air strike missions. The TLP is a standalone organization based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the air forces of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. During the years other nations have been invited as guests to participate.
The first TLP ever was held at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany, in January 1978, but this first edition was strictly academic. The TLP moved to Jever AB, Germany, in September 1979 and the academic course was extended with a flying phase. When the TLP left Jever in 1988, 71 courses were held there and over 1900 aircrews were trained. Florennes AB in Belgium was appointed as the new homebase for the TLP, and hosted its first TLP in March 1989. The TLP stayed at Florennes until July 2009, when the exercise moved to Albacete, Spain, where weather conditions are far better and the aircrews have a large airspace structure to their usage.
TLP 2004-5
The first participants arrived on Friday 8 October and the last participants departed on Friday 5 November. For the first time in 2004 the Danish Air Force send a delegation of 8 different F-16A’s. At first for the TLP, the French Navy send 3 Dassault Rafales. The Rafales from Flotille 12 were accompanied by 2 French Navy Super Etendards from Flotille 17. This was the last TLP of 2004 at Florennes. The 6th edition was held at Nimes AB in France from 22 November until 17 December.
The participants:
Belgian Air Force with F-16A from 2 Wing
Danish Air Force with F-16A from Esk. 727 and Esk. 730
French Air Force with Mirage 2000C from EC 02.012
French Navy with Rafale M from 12 F and Super Etendard from 17 F
German Air Force with Tornado IDS from JBG-33 and F-4F from JG-71
Italian Air Force with Tornado IDS from 6 Stormo and AMX from 51 Stormo
Spanish Air Force with EF-18A from Ala 12
Royal Air Force with Tornado GR.4A from 617 Sqn.
USAF with F-16C from 23rd FS
