The NATO Tiger Meet
Every year, the NATO squadrons having a tiger as their symbol gather for a two-weeks exercise called "NATO Tiger Meet". The aim of the Meet is to strengthen relations between squadrons and air forces, as well as to provide training on a variety of missions and events. Although not an official NATO exercise, the NTM has become a renowned event taking place all around Europe.
Typically, two waves of flying are flown each day of the exercise. In the morning, participants usually perform local sorties amongst themselves for the "Shadow Wave". In the afternoon, COMAOs are flown. These COMposite Air Operations see most of the jets, as well as the helicopters, conduct a training sortie.
Belgian Air Component F-16A take-off
Portuguese Air Force F-16A take-off
Pair of Spanish Air Force F-18 Hornets take-off
French Air Force Rafale taxi
Austrian Air Force Saab 105
Luftwaffe Tornado take-off
NTM 2019 - The host
In 2019, the NATO Tiger Meet took place in the southwest of France, at Mont-de-Marsan air base. The organizers were the 3/30 "Lorraine" squadron, a relatively new Tiger squadron.
In 2016, the 3/30 Squadron returned to France after a 6-year stay in Al-Dhafra AFB (United Arab Emirates). After a stay in Saint-Dizier, it arrived in Mont-de-Marsan which became its home base. The 1/7 "Provence" squadron would then take its place in UAE. However the SPA 162 "Tigre", which did not transition to the 1/7, was incorporated to the 3/30. This allowed the "Lorraine" to become a Tiger squadron and hence, to participate into the NATO Tiger Meet.
3 Years after, the 3/30 squadron hosted its first Tiger Meet in Mont-de-Marsan.
NTM 2019 - The participants
From May 13th to May 24th, 2019, 11 air arms met in Mont-de-Marsan for the 55th edition of the NATO Tiger Meet with a variety of aircraft and helicopters. The following units took part as flying participants to the exercise:
- French AF EC3/30 "Lorraine" (host, Rafale B/C)
- French AF ECE1/30 "Cote d'Argent" (Mirage 2000D, Rafale B/C)
- French Army (ALAT) EHRA 3 "Les félins" (SA-342M Gazelle)
- Belgian AF 31 Tiger Squadron (F-16AM/BM)
- Italian AF 12° Gruppo (EF-2000 Eurofighter)
- Italian AF 21° Gruppo (HH.212 Huey)
- Royal AF 230 Squadron (Puma HC.2)
- Royal Navy 314 NAS (Merlin HM.2)
- Portuguese AF Esquadrilla 301 (F-16A/B)
- Austrian AF 1 Jet Trainer Squadron (Saab 105Öe)
- German AF 51 Tigers (Tornado IDS & ECR)
- Spanish AF ALA 15 (EF-18+ Hornet)
- NATO 1 AEW&C (E-3A AWACS)
External participants also took part in the exercise, such as the EE 3/8 "Cote d'Or" with their Alphajets, as well as FAF EDCA 36 providing AEW&C support with their E3-F AWACS. The GAF Bavarian Tigers (Fighter Wing 74) also visited the event with a pair of Eurofighters, although they did not take part in the whole exercise.
Notably, it was the first appearance of the French Army EHRA 3 as a full member. Indeed, after a few appearances as probationary members in previous NTMs, it was awarded with the "Tiger Spirit" and could finally receive the Full Member status. For the occasion they painted a Gazelle in a beautiful blue tiger livery, called 'The Roaring Three'.
The 1 Jet Trainer Squadron of the Austrian Air Force also took part to the Meet with their Saab 105Öe for the last time. Indeed, the aircraft was retired the next year and the squadron was disbanded. For their last appearance they painted one of their aircraft in a truly beautiful scheme.
French Air Force Alphajet take-off
French Army Gazelle
French Air Force Mirage 2000D take-off
Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon taxi
NATO Tiger Meets - The traditions
Traditionally during Tiger Meets, the first day is for arrivals, briefings and some flying. That day there is also a ceremony during which all the flags of the participating countries are raised. They'll stay raised until the very last day of the exercise.
By the end of the first week of flying, the Tiger Games are organized, a mix of fun and sports. These week-ends games are a way for participants to relax and strengthen their social relations. A squadron is awarded with the Tiger Games award, and in 2019 the ECE 1/30 "Cote d'Argent" of the French Air Force won this award.
After the second week of flying, the flags are lowered on the last day. In the last evening, different prizes are awarded to the best squadrons during the trophy ceremony. Among them are:
- Best Tiger Aircraft: Awarded to the EC3/30 "Lorraine", the organizing squadron, for their beautifully painted "Dark Tiger" Rafale.
- Best Uniform: Same as the Best Tiger Aicraft, this one rewards the unit which showed its most beautiful uniform. The Austrian 1 JTS won that prize in Mont-de-Marsan.
- Best OPS: The unit which is the most operational during the two weeks exercise is rewarded with the Best Flying Ops. In 2019, the EC3/30 "Lorraine" also won that award.
- Silver Tiger: The most wanted award is the Silver Tiger one, which rewards the unit that best illustrated itself throughout the exercise. Every time a squadron wins the Silver Tiger trophy, it keeps it until the next NATO Tiger Meet and is honored to stick a little silver tag with the date his unit won the trophy on its wooden base. In 2019, the Esquadra 301 of the Portuguese Air Force won the Silver Tiger Trophy, for the 4th time in history.
