Typhoons from 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby are currently in Spain on an air exercise with NATO allies and partners.
The three-week exercise is part of the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP), which is a long-running initiative to improve the interoperability and effectiveness of allied air forces. The programme consists of a one-week simulator phase followed by a two-week flying phase where the participants are exposed to threats and tactics in realistic and challenging missions.
The TLP is a standalone organisation supported by the air forces of the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and US. It provides a focal point for NATO allies and partners to develop tactical and leadership skills to face today’s air security challenges.
On this particular exercise the RAF worked alongside forces from Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Poland, and Czech Republic. The deployment provided experience of working in a multi-national environment at the operational level whilst also demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the Tactical Leadership Programme with their NATO allies.
During the exercise, the RAF team were visited by the King of Spain, King Felipe VI and the British Ambassador to Spain, His Excellency Hugh Elliott.
“This exercise provides an excellent opportunity to engage with regional partners and reassure them of our commitment to addressing shared security challenges.
As 29 Sqn is the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit it rarely deploys; TLP has given our engineers and pilots chance to practice working from an unfamiliar air base, a skill that is fundamental to the RAF in Agile Combat Employment. We have also exploited the good weather conditions in Spain to maximise the training benefit.”Wing Commander Shaw
Detachment Commander, Officer Commanding 29 Squadron
