OPFOR TRAINING COURSE

Course objectives

The TLP OPFOR Training Programme offers RED AIR participants the opportunity to participate in the TLP COMAO Flying Course. It aims to improve the skills of the tactical fighter aircrews in the replication of adversary tactics.
The course also enables a free exchange of information on weapons, tactics and capabilities between the participating nations. By providing an environment that encourages the discussion and development of multi-national tactics, participants find the best way to employ the differing aircraft capabilities of the multi-national forces in an OPFOR environment.

Course syllabus

The Programme is run by a dedicated team within TLP who specialize in OPFOR fighter tactics and SBAD employment with support from Intel and Air C2 specialists.

During each course, a building block approach is used to progress the crews through nine carefully structured sorties. These sorties are aimed at challenging the participants to develop the tactical leadership skills necessary to plan, brief, fly, and debrief fully integrated multi-national formations in the OPFOR role. Each day a different crew leads the others through all phases of missions that grow in complexity during the course. Missions will be flown from Albacete and we will use both overland and overseas training areas. Long range missions may use air to air refueling and use adjacent nation’s airspace.

The TLP OPFOR Training Programme syllabus is not releasable to the internet, please contact TLP to obtain a copy through authorized channels.
Course length and start/finish of course.

The TLP OPFOR Training Programme begins on the second day of the first scheduled course week, typically a Tuesday. Participants will graduate on the completion of two weeks’ training, either in one period or split over two courses, however the maximum benefit would be gained when attending for two weeks of continuous training. Actual course length may be adjusted to account for concurrent flying/academic courses and/or Spanish national or regional holidays, instructor availability and other TLP requirements that may disrupt course continuity.

Course target audience.

The programme primarily intends to educate tactical fast jet aircrews or individuals with limited OPFOR experience, typically at – but not limited to – the senior First Lieutenant / young Captain level (OF-1/2).
The secondary target audience is intelligence officers, fighter controllers and C2ISR operators.

Flying course application process

If you wish to apply for this course, please follow the MoU nation planning / bidding process as outlined in the TLP MoU and PoO.

For non TLP MoU nations or individuals please identify the date of the next TLP Scheduling Conference (reference to TLP calendar) and send a representative to participate in the Planning process.

Short notice requests (especially Red Air / Support assets) can be forwarded to the TLP Mission Coordinator through the TLP contact email as provided on this website. (cadmin@tlp-info.org)

Joining instructions

Once participation is confirmed after the annual Steering Group conference and by MC, the Detachment Commanders need to request the Flying Course Welcome package from (cadmin@tlp-info.org)
Other useful documents can be found in the Flying course download section.