On Tuesday 26th of November 2024, TLP hosted a distinguished military authorities’ visit day (TLP DV Day) on the occasion of TLP Flying Course 2024-4 and the official signing ceremony of Portugal’s accession to TLP. The event was attended by high-ranking national and international military authorities, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Torrejón CAOC (Lieutenant General Sánchez de Lara), the Chief of the Air and Space Army Combat Air Command (Lieutenant General Nieto Sampayo), and Lieutenant General Branco of the Portuguese Air Force, among others. There was also a large presence of General Officers, Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels from the different TLP member nations.
Upon their arrival at TLP, the authorities were received by TLP Commandant, Colonel César Oscar Acebes Puertas, accompanied by the Unit’s Chief Warrant Officer.
During their visit, they had the opportunity to attend the initial briefing of the day’s flight mission, which included information on the state of the weather, the mission scenario, as well as the distribution of tasks among the participants in the flying course. Then, TLP Commandant gave a presentation on the present and future of the Programme, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Next, visitors were able to observe a demonstration of the TLP simulator capabilities, followed by a tour of the TLP hangar and ramp.
Afterwards, the ceremony of Portugal’s accession to TLP took place, in which the respective representatives of the member nations ratified with their signatures the approval for Portugal to officially join the Programme from 1st of January 2025. The addition of a new member to the TLP had not happened since 2009, when France and Greece joined the Programme.
During the opening speech of this ceremony, Colonel Acebes thanked all the authorities for their attendance and highlighted the value of TLP as a centre of reference to foster collaboration, mutual understanding and commitment to innovation in the field of advanced aircrew training. He also highlighted Portugal’s history, its tradition as an explorer nation, and the outstanding role of its Air Force, as an example of excellence in contributing to the country’s own defence tasks, as well as to international humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions. Finally, he pointed out that Portugal’s participation will strengthen the level of interoperability in the TLP Community, bringing a unique perspective and enriching its cultural diversity.
Then, Lieutenant General Branco, Air Commander of the Portuguese Air Force, took the floor and thanked the member countries of the Programme for the opportunity they had been given to have access to this distinguished organisation, which plays a very important role in the field of collective defence. In this regard, he expressed his country’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with TLP, in order to build a solid and productive alliance, which will ensure a more secure and collaborative future for all.
To conclude the visit, the authorities attended the follow-up of the flight mission execution in the main auditorium of the TLP.
At the end of the day, the attendees expressed their gratitude for having been able to see first-hand the intense activity that a day in a TLP flying course entails and wished Portugal the best luck in its new journey as a new member of the Programme.