Panthers on the prowl at TLP

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LOS LLANOS AIR BASE, Spain --  Eight F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron and approximately 130 personnel from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, are participating in the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 16-3 here, from Sep. 12 to Oct. 7.

This multi-lateral training will focus on preparing flight leaders to become coalition air force mission commanders with instruction on tactical composite air operations and opportunities to develop tactical air expertise.

"Participating in TLP is great since the squadron will work with nations that we will see when we go downrange," said Capt. Dale Gogan, 494th FS TLP mission commander. " This is good to get prepared and integrated now in an environment where we can debrief well together before we work in an expeditionary environment."

Throughout the month-long program mission commanders will attend academic classes, and face a variety of different scenarios during training sorties.

"Opportunities like this helps build familiarization and strengthens our interoperability as NATO partners," said Capt. Matthew Garvey, 494th FS flight commander. "This exercise also lets everyone get on the same page as far as our capabilities so we can work together as a team when we need to."

According to the TLP center, other participants for TLP 16-3 include Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom and NATO. Throughout its 39 year history, TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training, developing knowledge and leadership skills, necessary to face today's air tactical challenges.