A Super Étendard of the Flottille 11F of the French Navy during a 'Tiger Meet' in 2007
A Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter of 336 squadron, Royal Norwegian Air Force during a 'Tiger Meet' in 2007. Tiger Meet aircraft are often painted in 'Tiger stripes'
A Nord 262E N°51 of the flotille 28F, French Navy, based at Nîmes, at a 'Tiger Meet' in 2008
The NATO Tiger Association or the Association of Tiger Squadrons was established in 1961. Promoted by French Defence minister Pierre Messmer, its role is to promote solidarity between NATO air forces. It is not, though, part of the formal NATO structure.
The USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) 79th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron) took the initiative and on 19 July 1961 they invited No. 74 Squadron RAF and EC (Fighter Squadron) 1/12 Provence of the French Armée de l'air to Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO.
As of February 2012, the squadrons included in the Association are 20 full members, 11 honorary members and 2 probationary members, all of which have a tiger as part of its squadron crest. As well as being opportunities for NATO air forces to share ideas and experiences, the ‘Tiger Meets’ are also public relations exercises for NATO. NATO aircraft are often brightly painted with tiger stripes.
Members[]
The following squadrons are full members of the association.
Belgian Air Force
Czech Air Force
- 211th Tactical Squadron
- 221st Attack Helicopter Squadron
- German Air Force
- Hellenic Air Force
- 335 Squadron "Tigers"
- French Air Force
- Escadron de Chasse et d'Expérimentation 05.330
- Escadron de Chasse 1/7 "Provence"
- French Navy
- Flottille 11F
- Italian Air Force
- XII Gruppo CI
- Gruppo
- NATO (NATO Airborne Early Warning Force)
- Royal Netherlands Air Force
- 313 squadron
- Royal Norwegian Air Force
- 338 Skvadron
- Portuguese Air Force
- Swiss Air Force
- Fliegerstaffel 11
- Spanish Air Force
- 142 Escuadrón
- Ala 15
- Turkish Air Force
- 192 Filo
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy
Former members[]
The following squadrons were formerly members of the NATO Tiger Association until their disbanding by their respective organization.
- German Air Force
- Aufklärungsgeschwader 52
- Jagdbomberstaffel 321
- Jagdbomberstaffel 431
- French Air Force
- Escadron de Chasse 01.012
- Royal Norwegian Air Force
- 336 Squadron
- Royal Air Force
- United States Air Force
Bibliography[]
- Heuvel, Coen van den & Tuyn, Jac van. Tiger Meet, the 25th Anniversary 'NATO' Tiger Meet, Osprey, 1986, 978-0-8504-5703-2.
External links[]
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The original article can be found at NATO Tiger Association and the edit history here.