On June 10th, 2019, two F-35A aircraft, belonging to the U.S. Air Force (USAF), participated for the first time in the Flying Course FC 19-2 of the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP).
On the occasion of this important milestone, the TLP held a Media and Distinguished Visitors’ Day (DVD) on June 11th, 2019, attended by high civil and military authorities, national and international, highlighting the presence of Lieutenant General César Simón López, Chief of the Spanish Air Force Air Combat Command (MACOM), Major General Greg A. Semmel, Counsellor of the Air National Guard (ANG) to the Chief Commander of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) and Minister Counsellor Benjamin G. Ziff, of the United States Embassy in Spain, as well as Major General Ignacio Bengoechea Martí, Director of Maintenance and Logistics Support of the Spanish Air Force Logistics Support Command (MALOG), and Major General Francisco González-Espresati Amián, Deputy Chief and Chief of Staff of MACOM.
The day was organized with the aim of sharing with the Media the presence at TLP of these 5th Generation combat jets and to inform about the plans of TLP for the integration of the F-35 in its Flying Courses.
During the press conference, TLP Commandant, Colonel Andrés E. Maldonado explained the program’s strategy to lead the integration of 4th and 5th generation fighters under NATO doctrine. The colonel thanked the Media for their interest and had the opportunity to recognize the American personnel for their merit and invaluable support in making this first participation of the F-35 in a TLP course in Albacete a reality.
Following, Colonel Glenn LeMasters, U.S. Air Attaché in Madrid, took the floor to express his gratitude to TLP and the Albacete Air Base for the great welcome that all of them had received. Finally, Major James Schmidt, F-35 pilot, explained the impressive capabilities of this 5th Generation aircraft.
After that, and with the arrival of the above-mentioned authorities, a briefing was given by the TLP Commandant at the TLP Headquarters, who emphasized the importance of this first contact with 5th Generation aircraft and pointed out the current status of the Programme and future challenges.
The day ended with the presence of the authorities at the takeoffs of the planes participating in the TLP mission of the day.
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