F
R

1
2
-
2
0
0
1

TLP: TRAINING FOR TOP PILOTS

By Karl Schwarz

The basic function of the Tactical Leadership Programme has not changed in over 20 years. "We are the university for fighter pilots," explains Group Captain Dries Wuyts, current commander of the TLP, at J. Offenberg airbase in Florennes, Belgium. The aim of the programme is "to increase the effectiveness of the Allied Tactical Air Forces" through "the development of leadership, tactical flying, mission planning and task allocation skills as well as initiatives for new concepts and tactical doctrines."

"We still fly every type of mission," said Group Captain Wuyts during a visit to Florennes by FLUG REVUE. But naturally experience gathered from field operations, for example, over the Balkans, has resulted in changes of emphasis. An essential element these days is joint operations, in which many different countries participate, with close co-ordination required between land-based, air and naval forces.

Missions by night have also become more frequent. However, since under the terms of the TLP agreement these cannot be carried out from Florennes, two courses (TLP 2002-1 and 2002-6) are planned for the coming year at alternative air bases. The first will take place in Moron, Spain and last the customary four weeks. The schedule envisages a series of day-time missions in the first week, followed over the next fortnight by around seven night-time flights. The programme will then conclude with further daytime exercises.

The pilots taking part will thus have plenty to do, just as they do on the courses in Florennes, which usually comprise 19 working days with 50 hours of theory and 15 flights. A typical day begins at 8.30 a.m. with a short weather briefing. Immediately afterwards the scenario of the day is explained and orders are given. The crew then have about an hour and a half to do their mission planning. At 11.30 a.m. the action shifts to the aircraft, with first takeoffs taking place at 12.30 p.m.

Missions last around two hours. Immediately after landing evaluation of target films begins. This is followed by analysis of the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) data, during which pilots can retrace their sorties on the computer screen. Prepared in this way, de-briefing of individual formations ("packages") commences at 6 p.m. and at 7.30 p.m. there is a final meeting attended by all crew who took part in the mission.

"We perform an extremely detailed debriefing," explains Group Captain Wuyts. "In fact it is even more comprehensive than at Red Flag." The 27 ACMI Sidewinder-style pods which record flight data for every single aircraft and thus provide a complete picture of the missions, have been proving their worth for some years now. The pods are leased from Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik, but after five years ownership passes to the TLP.

It would be nice to purchase more pods, but that depends on the resources available for investment. These are not exactly flowing in abundance at the moment. Nevertheless, financing of operations by the participating countries remains stable. Germany and the United Kingdom contribute the most, each bearing just under a quarter of the cost. In return they receive the most "slots" out of the 140 that are available. These are calculated at 1.5 million Belgian francs ($34,500) per aircraft and per course. External users, who recently have also included Switzerland with its F-18 Hornets, pay a surcharge.

A normal course comprises 24 fighter aircraft. Care is taken here to ensure that the composition is balanced. 14 aircraft fly air-to-ground missions, six are responsible for fighter protection and a further two each perform suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) and reconnaissance roles.

After arriving in Florennes, the first two days are taken up with lectures and instructions. On the Wednesday of the first week familiarisation (FAM) flights are carried out. These are followed by two to three missions that are very challenging despite being flown in smaller formations. "The entry requirement for participation on the TLP was reduced in the 1990s from 700 to 500 flying hours as the air forces simply do not have any experienced people any more," explains Group Captain Wuyts. Nevertheless, many younger pilots also come with operational experience from the Balkans.

In the second week of the TLP course combined air operations (COMAO) are practised, during which two packages are joined together into a single large formation. The complex missions are thoroughly prepared for through theoretical instructions. In the final two weeks special missions are flown, for example, combat SAR, reconnaissance, anti-surface vessel warfare or SEAD. During these missions the TLP crews must also hold their own against external aircraft provided, for example, by France.

Although the French are only represented by a liaison officer in Florennes, they form an important element of the TLP. Around one-quarter of missions are flown there. More than one-third are flown in Germany and 30% take place across the Channel in England. Planning is always more difficult for these missions. "Every day the available air space is whittled down still further," complains Group Captain Wuyts.

This is one of the reasons why NATO is apparently thinking of moving the TLP to a new home. However, Wuyts denied the rumours circulating in the summer that the programme would be relocated to Montijo in Portugal as soon as 2003. These rumours Wuyts believed were probably prompted by the fact that Belgium wants to extend the agreement which expires at the end of 2002 not by six years in one go but instead by only one year at a time. The notice period will, however, be two years.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to be signed in December. Spain will then become the eighth official TLP member country and take over eight slots next year. Organisationally, the programme will in future be the responsibility of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE). AIRNORTH will remain responsible as before for the practical side of operations.

Despite the envisaged changes, the TLP remains extremely important. "It is necessary just to stay in contact," Group Captain Wuyts is convinced. This summer he was able for the first time for some years to welcome a large contingent from Canada again. The new NATO countries, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, are also interested in taking part. Due to the low accumulated flying hours of their crews, however, they will probably have to wait a little while for the privilege.

From page 42 of FLUG REVUE 12/2001