Albacete, Spain, 23rd January – 6 February 2026
The TLP was first held in Jever, Germany and then moved to Florennes, Belgium. However, night flying restrictions limited operations so it moved to the warmer climes of Albacete ‘Los Llanos’ air base in southern Spain from 2009.
Now held around four times a year the first of 2026 risked the interference of the weather. Extreme winds and often torrential rain limited operations to the point that, following a ground based session in mid January no serious exercise flying occurred until Friday 30th around 1450 hours. One advantage for the stalwart and patient photographers gathered at the runway ends was the early evening return with dramatic lighting against an ever changing skyline.
Even though European Air Forces are rapidly re-equipping with the F-35 there were none in attendance. The F-16 Fighting Falcon dominated with eight examples from three squadrons from the Hellenic Air Force attracting attention though a contingent from Belgium and Portugal did manage occasional sorties earlier in the week.
Complementing these were three SAAB Gripens from the Czech Republic and numerous Rafales from the French Air Force.
Albacete is now home to Eurofighters of the Spanish Air Force with based examples mixing in with visitors for the exercise. A few F-18 Hornets were also involved.
The exercise provides opportunities to cooperate in aerial refuelling and integration with tankers and support aircraft over the Mediterranean and even, reportedly, with the Charles de Gaulle carrier off the Murcia coast. Sorties normally last around 90 minutes but, given it took around 45 minutes to launch 31 participants that Friday afternoon the actual airborne interaction was probably around an hour.
Albacete now fields a small passenger terminal in the south west corner near the Airbus helicopter plant; the entrance road providing one of the only, restricted, views of the TLP ramp. Other military residents include a batch of retired CASA 101 Aviojets, some in the colours of the Spanish team and a few Canadair water bombers.
Both local farmers and the authorities are to be congratulated for their tolerance of this brief window of opportunity for photographers to witness the products funded by their taxes operating in a professional and cooperative environment.
