To allow NATO aircrews to complete
successful misssions in time of conflict together, they have to train
together. One of the ways NATO tries to accomplish this goal is with
the multi-national training programme TLP.
The Tactical Leadership Programmes have been taking place at Florennes
since 1989. Partcipation wise they often have some very interesting
aircraft in attendance, which sometimes are rarely if ever seen at
airshows.
As far as the line-up was concerned, TLP2008-3 was a good one, with
participants from the Czech Republic, Spain, France, Italy and Turkey.
The latter brought the highlights to many, 2 F-4E Phantoms IIs,
although their F-16Cs didn't look too shabby either with their large
squadron markings on the tail.
Tuesday June 10 saw the final day of good weather for this TLP-session,
so many planespotters rushed off to Florennes to catch these aircraft
in flight. The mission scheduled for that day was 'Combar Search and
Rescue Mission Option One', supported by a NATO E-3A Sentry, 2 French
Super Pumas and 2 Dutch Apaches.
Unfortunately, a move to Albacete in the summer of 2009 means that
soon, such an exciting group of foreign aircraft will be a thing of the
past. A great shame, as it really is a fun afternoon watching such a
large formation getting airborne and recovering at a Belgian base.
Another bites the dust...
Report
by Chris Janssens
Lay-out and content by Chris Janssens, 2005 - present