The Tactical Leadership Programme known as (TLP) is a NATO multinational advanced training programme focused on improving tactical leadership and mission effectiveness of air forces. The purpose of TLP is to train experienced military aircrew and support staff to execute large scale air operations. This advanced flight training exercise trains pilots in leadership, decision-making, coordination and mission planning in realistic combat scenarios. TLP is run 3-4 times per year, between January to November and normally lasts up to 4 weeks. The location is Albacete Air Base Spain (formally held in Belgium). It is considered one of the most demanding and prestigious air combat training programs.

Participants at TLP are from NATO member nations and partner countries they include:

- Fighter pilots,

- Weapon systems officers,

- Intelligence offices,

- Air battle managers,

- Mission planners.

What is trained at a TLP?

COMAQ (Composite Air Operations) missions involving many aircraft:

- Air-to-air and air-to-ground integration,

- Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD),

- Close Air Support (CAS),

- Electronic warfare,

- Command and control,

- NATO-standard tactics and procedures.

Aircraft involved:

Fighters (F-15, F-16, F-18, F-35, Eurofighter, Rafale and Tornado),

Tankers, ISR and support aircraft,

Attack aircraft (historically AV-8B Harrier II).

TLP 2025-3 October 2025 and TLP 2025-4 November 2025 hosted ground attack Harriers from the Italian Navy AV-8B+ (Marina Militare and Spanish Navy EAV-8B+ (flotilla Aeronaves) for this article we focus on these attending aircraft. With the USMC now starting to retire their AV-8B harrier II (replaced by F-35B) Italy and Spain now remain the only two countries that fly the AV-8B Harrier II. Time is not on the side of the Harrier with both nations looking to phase out these ageing aircraft in the near future.

The AV-8B+ and EAV-8B Harrier II is a ground attack aircraft famous for its ability to take off and land vertically or on very short runways (VTOL/STOVL).

Key Facts

Role: Ground attack/close air support

First flew:  1981

Primary users: United States Marine Corps, Italy and Spain

Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) based on the British Harrier design.

What makes it special?

Vertical/Short Take off and Landing: it uses exhaust nozzles to hover, take off from short runways, or operate from amphibious assault ships.



Close Air Support (CAS): Designed to support ground troops directly, similar mission to the A-10 Thunderbolt II, but more flexible in where it can operate.

Carrier & forward base capable: can operate on small ships, roads, or temporary forward bases near combat zones.

Performance (approximate)

Top speed:  1065km/h (Mach 0.9)

Combat radius:  550km (without external fuel tanks)

Engines:  Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan

Armament

Cannons:  25mm GAU-12 Equalizer (gun pods)

Hardpoints:  can carry bombs, rockets, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and air-to-air missiles ( like AIM 9 Sidewinder)

Variants 

AV-8B Night Attack:  improved night operations

AV-8B+ Harrier Plus:  added radar for better targeting and limited air-to-air capability

TAV-8B twin seater variant for pilot training

Legacy

The AV-8B Harrier II was revolutionary for its flexibility but was challenging to fly and maintain. It is now being phased out and replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

The Aviation Reporting team spent a total of 6 days at both the October 25 and November 25 TLPs at Albacete, there were very many variants of aircraft to photograph but nothing as special as the AV-8B variants that attended. The Harrier is truly one of our favourite aircraft flying today and we are more than happy to photograph them over and over again.

Author: Mark Forest

Photography: Mark Forest & Robert Leech