What the Albacete Tactical Leadership Programme Covers
The TLP provides an extensive training experience, designed to develop skills across multiple domains, from flying to leadership and intelligence integration. Here’s a closer look at the core elements of the programme:

Flying Courses
TLP’s flying courses are the hallmark of the programme, bringing together pilots from various nations to train in high-pressure scenarios mimicking real combat situations. The main focus is on ensuring multinational interoperability, helping aircrews from different countries to work seamlessly together.

In 2025, Flying Course 2025-1 (held from January 23 to February 14) featured 22 aircraft in Blue Air (friendly forces) and 12 aircraft in Red Air (opposing forces). Participating nations provided aircraft in both Blue and Red roles, enhancing the multinational character of the programme. The aircraft types were as follows:

Aircraft Categorized by Country:

Italy

• 4 Eurofighter Typhoon F-2000A (Blue Air)
  
  
• 1 Beechcraft EM 350 SPYDR (SIGINT/EW Support)
  
  

Spain

• 4 EF-18M Hornets (Blue Air)
  
  
• 2 Eurofighter Typhoon C.16 (Red Air)
  
  
• 2 EF-18A Hornets (Red Air, adversary roles)
  
  
• 1 MQ-9 Predator B (NR-05, ISR Support)
  
  
• 1 NH-90 TTH (Combat Search and Rescue - CSAR)
  
  

France

• 4 Dassault Rafale B/C (Blue Air)
  
  
• 2 Dassault Rafale M (Red Air, adversary roles)
  
  
• 1 Boeing E-3F Sentry AWACS (Airborne Command and Control)
  
  
• 1 Airbus A400M Atlas (Tactical Transport and Logistics)
  
  

Greece

• 4 F-16C Block 52+ Fighting Falcons (Blue Air)
  
  
• 2 F-16C Block 52+ Fighting Falcons (Red Air, adversary roles)
  
  

Switzerland

• 3 F/A-18C Hornets (Blue Air)
  
  
• 2 F/A-18C Hornets (Red Air, adversary roles)
  
  

Portugal

• 3 F-16AM Fighting Falcons (Blue Air, MLU variant)
  
  
• 2 F-16BM Fighting Falcons (Red Air, two-seat training/adversary variant)
  
  

United States

• 2 MH-60R Seahawks (Red Air rotary-wing assets)
  
  

Mission Command and Leadership
Beyond flying, TLP places significant emphasis on leadership training. Mission commanders are challenged to think strategically and execute decisions under extreme pressure. Leadership training is designed to develop clarity, adaptability, and decision-making capabilities which are essential qualities for leading in unpredictable combat situations.

Participants are tested on their ability to lead in pre-mission planning, during debriefs, and throughout exercises, with their decisions directly affecting mission outcomes.

Co-ordinating the TLP

We had the opportunity to meet Flt Lt Barry (“Baz”) Underwood, a British RAF officer assigned to the TLP staff. Baz explained that there are typically four flying courses each year, but the work doesn’t stop between those courses. Non-flying training and the use of advanced mission simulators continue year-round to keep participants sharp and prepared for any scenario.

The TLP staff consists of around 40 personnel, with officers drawn from all nations participating in the TLP group. The latest nation to join is Portugal, and their F-16s were a part of TLP 2025-1. Staff members are assigned to Albacete on 2-3 year rotations, contributing a diverse range of expertise and ensuring smooth operations. Officers sent by each air force are highly experienced. For example, Baz, with 22 years of service in the RAF, specializes in IT/Cyber operations. He is joined by a Wing Commander, Navigator, Instructor, and Sergeant-ranked engineer from the UK, contributing to the broad expertise required to run such an intensive programme.

Intelligence Integration and Operational Coordination

In modern warfare, intelligence is as important as air operations. At TLP, participants are trained to interpret battlefield intelligence and use it to inform operational tactics. Close coordination with intelligence officers is critical for understanding enemy movements, anticipating threats, and executing precise missions.

Support for these efforts in 2025 included specialized aircraft to enhance operational effectiveness:

• France:
  
  
• 1 Boeing E-3F Sentry AWACS for air surveillance
  
  
• 1 Airbus A400M Atlas for tactical transport
  
  
• Spain:
  
  
• 1 MQ-9 Predator B for ISR support
  
  
• 1 NH-90 TTH for combat search and rescue (CSAR)
  
  
• Italy:
  
  
• 1 Beechcraft EM 350 SPYDR for SIGINT and electronic warfare (EW)
  
  
• United States:
  
  
• 2 MH-60R Seahawks supporting Red Air operations
  
  

Spain also contributed NASAMS, MALLINA, and MISTRAL air defense systems to simulate realistic air defense challenges, while France used the ARPEGE system to simulate complex threat environments.

Live Operational Exercises

To prepare for the unpredictability of real combat, TLP’s live operational exercises simulate high-intensity combat scenarios, pushing participants to the limits of their capabilities. These exercises foster multinational cooperation as air forces from different countries work together to complete complex missions.

In 2025, TLP continued to leverage cutting-edge MACE simulators to integrate live and virtual training, allowing participants to rehearse missions and adapt in real-time. The Link 16 protocols were used for operational coordination, ensuring that all participating forces could communicate and execute seamlessly, even when dealing with changing variables.

Developing New Air Combat Tactics

TLP isn’t just about individual training, it plays a vital role in shaping the future of air combat. The programme regularly contributes to the development of new tactics and doctrines for NATO and allied forces. Through the evaluation of exercises and analysis of past missions, TLP helps refine air combat strategies to ensure they remain relevant and effective in modern warfare.

What TLP Does

At its core, the Tactical Leadership Programme is about preparing air forces for the complexities of modern warfare by fostering leadership and enhancing multinational cooperation. TLP ensures that participants are not only skilled pilots or commanders but also effective leaders who can operate seamlessly in a joint, multinational environment. Here’s how TLP makes this happen:

Enhancing Multinational Interoperability

TLP brings together personnel from NATO countries and allied nations, offering a unique opportunity for aircrews to train alongside one another, learning each other’s tactics and operational methods. In a real-world combat scenario, this ability to work together smoothly is essential.

Developing Effective Leaders

Leadership is at the heart of TLP. The programme trains future leaders to manage complex operations, handle stress, and think critically. TLP ensures that NATO and allied forces have confident, capable leaders who can make quick, sound decisions under pressure. This training extends beyond individual performance to foster teamwork, effective communication, and strategic thinking in air combat operations.

Simulating Real-World Combat Scenarios

There’s no substitute for real-world experience, which is why TLP’s high-intensity exercises are designed to simulate unpredictable combat situations. These exercises ensure participants are prepared for complex, rapidly changing operational environments.

Who TLP Trains and Why

The TLP is aimed at military personnel across NATO and allied forces, particularly those in leadership roles or positions that require coordination and decision-making during air operations.

Who They Train

• Pilots: TLP’s flying courses are aimed at enhancing pilot skills, though the programme also includes mission commanders, intelligence officers, and tactical air controllers which are all critical players in air operations.
  
  
• Senior Leaders: From flight leaders to senior commanders, TLP trains leaders at all levels, ensuring they are ready to handle the complexities of multinational air combat.
  
  

More Facts about TLP

• Multinational Collaboration: TLP is a prime example of international cooperation in military training, bringing together participants from NATO and allied nations to work toward common goals.
  
  
• Long Legacy: Since its inception in 1978, TLP has evolved to meet the demands of modern warfare. By 2025, it remains one of the most respected and effective military training programmes in the world.
  
  
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Albacete Air Base, home to TLP, has cutting-edge simulation technologies and operational assets that replicate real-world combat conditions.
  
  
• A Global Reputation: Graduates of TLP go on to serve in important leadership roles, often directing complex air operations in multinational settings.
  
  

In 2025, the Tactical Leadership Programme at Albacete continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air combat. By focusing on leadership, multinational cooperation and combat readiness. TLP ensures that NATO and allied forces are always prepared for the challenges of modern warfare. It’s not just about training the next generation of air combat leaders, it’s about fostering unity, adaptability, and excellence in the skies.

Acknowledgements

The Aviation Reporting team would like to thank Flt Lt Barry Underwood, the Spanish Air Force Chief of Staff, the Spanish Air Force Media Communications Department and the British Defence Department in Madrid. The fantastic access allowed and organisation throughout the visit was second to none.

Article by: Mark Forest & Mark Zuidmulder
Photography by: Steven Fenton & Robert Leech
Interviews by: Edward Davison