This year six TLP courses were scheduled. TLP 2004-05 is the last one at the Belgian airbase Florennes and exercise six will be at Nimes, France (This is called the out of the area course).
By Frits Jongerman | November 2004
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Because it was the first time that French (Navy) Rafale's participated, this would be a special TLP and a great excuse to visit Florennes AB again. This course there were many non-flying days and the weather wasn't that great, we choose to visit the base during departure day on 5 November 2004. On this day it was most likely to see all the TLP participants and support aircraft.
The first participants, two French Navy Rafale M's left at 8:30 local time, followed by two German F-4F's. Two Spanish Air Force EF-18A's waited for 45 minutes and had to return to the ramp because their slot time to use French airspace had passed. The last participants that left were the third Rafale M (6) and two F-16CJ's from the 23 FS 'Fighting Hawks'. Fortunately most of the aircraft were spotted with sunshine. Between 13:00 and 14:00 the support aircraft also left. Especially the desert painted Spanish C-130H was very nice. Also some local F-16's from 2nd Wing flew. Many BAF F-16's are at RAF Waddington at the moment.
5, Rafale M
37+26, F-4
E-604, F-16
6, Rafale
96-0081/SP, F-16
C1.15-66/12-24, EF-18
FA-128, F-16
FA-128, F-16
MM7082/6-14, Tornado
MM7165/51-45, AMX
ZA462/AJ-P, Tornado
129, Falcon 10
13, Super Etendard
2, Rafale
117/12-KQ, Mirage 2000
MM7171/51-22, AMX
R210/64-GA, C-160
T1.10-08/31-05, C-130
Participants
Participants (seen today during departure)
| Esk.726* | F-16AM | E-604 and E-608 |
| Esk.727* | F-16AM | E-184 and E-193 |
| 12 F/Navy | Rafale M | 2, 5 and 6 |
| 17 F/Navy | Super Etendard | 13 and 51 |
| EC 02.012 | Mirage 2000C | 86/12-KA and 117/12-KQ |
| JG-71 | F-4F | 37+26 and 38+44 |
| 6 St/154 Gr | Tornado IDS | MM7039/6-02 and MM7082/6-14 |
| 51 St/103 Gr | AMX | MM7171/51-22 |
| 132 Gr | AMX | MM7165/51-45 |
| 617 Sqn | Tornado Gr.4 | ZA462/AJ-P** and ZA556/AJ-C |
| Ala 12 | EF-18A | C.15-48/12-06 and C.15-66/12-24 |
| 23 FS/52 FW | F-16CJ | 91-0410/SP and 96-0081/SP |
* no badges carried
** special markings '1943-2003'
Also the home unit: 2nd Wing and JBG-33 German Air Force with Tornado IDS's participated. The last were not seen and left probably on Thursday. During this TLP additional F-16's from Belgium and The Netherlands participated. They flew their mission(s) from their home bases.
| 2 Gr/46 Ba/AMI | C-130J | MM62176/46-41 |
| 2 Gr/46 Ba/AMI | C-130J | MM62179/46-44 |
| Ala 31/SpanishAF | C-130H | T.10-08/31-05 |
| ET 01.064/FAF8 | C-160R | R201/64-GA |
| 57 S/French Navy | Falcon 10MER | 129 |
| 1 Wing | Alpha Jet | AT08 |
| 1 Wing | CM-170 | MT04 |
| Air Cadets | Piper S.Cub | LB05 and LB06 |
The two Piper Cubs left with two gliders (PL30 and PL53).
Also seen F-16AM: FA-91, FA-107, FA-126, FA-128, FA-131, FA-135. F-16BM: FB-09 and FB-20 dep to Waddington
The first participants for TLP 2005-01 and 2005-02 are known and very interesting. Especially TLP 2005-02 with Greek F-4E's and German F-4F's is a must see.
For more information on the TLP, take a look at the Florennes Aviation Society website www.florennes-as.be