Must a player play tactical openings to learn tactics? As has been said, Chess in 99% tactics/calculation.  

So, if a player is aiming to increase his tactical abilities should he play tactical openings like the King's Gambit, or can he play something like the English if desired, knowing that tactics will show up in the middle game?

Another way to put this is as follows:  should a developing player master the tactical openings before the positional ones, given that tactics are much more important in the short term?
My chess instructor told me:


Tactics
Tactics
Tactics


I think you can win a lot of games at the sub-2000 level with raw tactical skill.  Thereafter, positional considerations start becoming important.

Regarding the opening, I don't think it much matters.  Play the type of opening that makes you happy.