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Where? Holloman AFB, NM, USA
When? October 2007 Holloman AFB hosts besides the F-177A Nighthawk equipped 49FW also the Luftwaffe's Tactical Training Center flying Tornados as well as of a permanent detachment of QF-4E Target Drones. During a trip to the south-western part of the USA gave the possibility to throw a look behind the scenes of two of these facilities.
 When entering the airbase the strong presence of the German Luftwaffe is visible at once: a row of American and German flags welcomes the visitor along the main road that is leading to the Headquarter of the German Air Force Tactical Training Center (Fliegerisches Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe - FlgAusbZLw). This establishment is responsible for the basic and tactical training of Luftwaffe Tornado pilots since 1996.
Maintenance HangarThe training activities consist of 4 main courses dealing with the instruction on the weapon system Tornado, during which young pilots become acquainted with the aircraft. Other courses are the instructor pilot course that aims to the education and refreshment of instructor pilots, the advanced and tactical flying training as well as with the weapon instructor training. To fulfil this task around 25 Tornados are permanently based at Holloman together with a personnel of around 680. on the Flightline During the tour the maintenance crews told us about the great deal of flexibility that is required at Holloman. Whereas in contrast to a wing in Germany the tasks and weapon loadout are nearly identical all the time, configuration changes are the order of the day under the hot New Mexican sun as the training covers all aspects of Tornado operations. The Tornados are parked in shelters that can be opened on both sides, thus avoiding the need for a towing truck. Furthermore they are more adopted to the New Mexican climate, though it is still getting very hot for the crews in the summer months – a fact that we only noticed in outlines on that nice and warm October afternoon.
near the Runway
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