Tactical Leadership Programme 2011-1
Albacete, Spain
The first Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) for 2011 takes place from 17 January till 11 February from Albacete, Spain. Albacete is the new home the TLP since 2010 after being held for many year from Florennes, Belgium. Albacete is also home to the Spanish Mirage F-1 fleet belonging to Ala14. This edition of TLP saw participants from France, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France and United Kingdom. I paid a visit to the TLP on Thursday 27 January as some of my squadron members participated in the TLP 2011-1 course.
By Ryanair I flew to Madrid-Barajas airport from Neiderrhein, Germany the day before. Picked up a rental car (a Mini Cooper) and drove to Albacete, were I arrived in the beginning of the evening. After some social chit-chat with my colleagues, I went to my bed in one of three new TLP housing buildings build on base. The next morning I stood up early as I wanted to see some Spanish Mirage F-1's before the TLP action. During the morning I visited every (maintenance) hangar on base. Not only Mirage F-1's are being maintained at Albacete, also various C.101's, EF-18's, SF-5 and CL215/415's can be found at Albacete undergoing maintenance. The weather was bad during the entire day I was at Albacete. Rain showers and thick dark clouds pulled over the base while I was walking the flight line. It did not improve unfortunately during the day. The mission flown today was a long mission including aerial refuelling above the St.Tropez airspace, France. While leaving my daylight, most participants returned by dawn. Thanks to my squadron buddies and TLP Staff for having me over.
