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).
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)
| Sqn |
Type |
Serials |
| Denmark: |
| Esk.726* | F-16AM | E-604 and E-608 |
| Esk.727* | F-16AM | E-184 and E-193 |
| France: |
| 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 |
| Germany: |
| JG-71 | F-4F | 37+26 and 38+44 |
| Italy: |
| 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 |
| Royal Air Force: |
| 617 Sqn | Tornado Gr.4 | ZA462/AJ-P** and ZA556/AJ-C |
| Spain: |
| Ala 12 | EF-18A | C.15-48/12-06 and C.15-66/12-24 |
| USAF Europe: |
| 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.
| Sqn |
Type |
Serials |
| Support aircraft: |
| 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 |
| Visitors: |
| 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 open-in-new www.florennes-as.be