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A primer of the United States Air Force aircraft/missile Technical Coordination Program
DISAM Journal, Winter, 2003 by Forrest Smith
Sustainment membership in the A/T-37 and T-38 TCG is normally fulfilled using follow-on "G" or "Q" cases with lines that cover the following:
* Internal services;
* Contracted services, and;
* Studies and surveys, and overseas travel.
A/T-37 and T-38 Technical Coordination Group in Action
In September 2003, the A/T-37/T-38 TCG combined with the F-4 and F-5 TCG's and held their annual World Wide Review at the Ogden Mariott Hotel. All member countries sent their representatives and participated in this conference. It provided a unique opportunity for all TCG members to meet and discuss mutual concerns and goals.
F-16 Technical Coordination Group
The first operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between the United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. These countries jointly produced with the United States an initial 348 F-16s for their air forces. Final airframe assembly lines were located in Belgium and the Netherlands. The consortium's F-16s are assembled from components manufactured in all five countries. Recently, Portugal joined the consortium. F-16 co-production lines also existed in Turkey and Korea.
The F-16 TCG was formally established on 1 April 1985. The charter members were Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Israel, Egypt and Pakistan. The first In-Country Review (ICR) was held in May of 1986. It consisted of a three country trip to Israel, Egypt and Pakistan. The original TCG Chief was Mr. Lynn Peacock. The initial cadre consisted of seventeen manpower authorizations for technicians mechanical, avionics, technical data, and weapons, documentation and administration. The current TCG Chief is Bill Dodge. He currently has thirty-one specialists working the program.
There are currently eighteen countries participating in the program: Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Bahrain, Korea, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Venezuela, and Italy. The member countries currently comprise approximately 54 percent of fleet and is growing. Several countries, including Chile, Oman, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates, have recently purchased the F-16 and are potential candidates for membership in the TCG. All eligible countries flying F-16s are current members of the TCG. As usual, TCG services are available only to member countries. Non-member, non-hostile countries receive only notifications of safety Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO).
Sustainment membership in the F-16 TCG is normally fulfilled using follow-on "G" or "Q" cases with lines that cover the following:
* Internal services;
* Contracted services, and;
* Studies, surveys, and travel.
Costs of the program are based on number of aircraft in the member's inventory.
Technical Coordination Group--F-16 TCG in Action
