NATO Tiger Association

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.

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
A German Eurofighter Typhoon of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 at the 'Tiger Meet' in 2014
A Czech Mil Mi-24 "Alien Tiger" of the 221st Helicopter Squadron at the 'Tiger Meet' in 2016
Tail fin of a Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11 F/A-18C Hornet

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 Cambresis of the French Armée de l'air to Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO.

As of May 2016, the squadrons[1] included in the Association are 24 full members, 10 honorary members, and 7 disbanded 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 24 squadrons are full members of the association.

Honorary members

Probationary members
  • none

Former members

The following squadrons were formerly members of the NATO Tiger Association until their disbanding by their respective organization.

Tiger Meets

The most publicly visible aspect of the NATO Tiger Association are the annual Tiger Meets, during which member squadrons gather for exercises, conferences, and public relations.

EventDatesLocationHostSilver TigerUnitsRef
NTM-196119–20 July Woodbridge 79 TFS3
NTM-196222–25 August Woodbridge 79 TFS8
NTM-196327–30 August Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel8
NTM-19649–15 June Cambrai EC 1/128
NTM-196514–18 August Bitburg 53 TFS8
NTM-19665–9 July Leuchars 74 (F) Sqn8
NTM-196729 May – 2 June Leck AG 527
NTM-196816–20 August Lahr 439 TFS8
NTM-19694–8 July Woodbridge 79 TFS8
NTM-19706–11 June Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel8
NTM-197114–21 June Upper Heyford Jagdbomberstaffel 4319
NTM-197212–19 June Cambrai EC 1/129
NTM-197316–22 June Cameri 21 Gruppo10
NTM-197425 June – 1 July Bitburg 53 TFS9
NTM-19753–9 August Leck AG 529
NTM-197631 May – 4 June Baden-Soellingen 439 TFS9
NTM-197722–28 June RAF Greenham Common 79 TFS 439 TFS11
NTM-197819–26 June Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-197918–25 June BA Cambrai EC 1/12 439 TFS13
NTM-19809–16 June Cameri 21 Gruppo Esq 30114
NTM-198112–15 June Bitburg 53 TFS 439 TFS8
NTM-198226–30 August Gütersloh 203 Sqn Fliegerstaffel 1112
NTM-198310–16 June Baden-Soellingen 439 TFS JaboSt 431
NTM-198413–20 August Leck AG 52 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-19851–8 July Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel Esq 30113
NTM-19868–16 June Cambrai EC 1/12 53 TFS18
NTM-198723–30 June Montijo Esq 301 JaboSt 43118
NTM-19885–12 July Cameri 21 Gruppo 74 (F) Sqn14
NTM-199012–17 August Upper Heyford 79 TFS 79 TFS13
NTM-199117–21 July Fairford International Air Tattoo 53 TFS16
NTM-199214–22 May Albacete 142 Esc EC 1/1215
NTM-19938–13 August Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel 79 TFS10
NTM-19943–10 May Cambrai EC 1/12 31 Smaldeel19
NTM-199621–29 May Beja Esq 301 31 Smaldeel15
NTM-199716–21 July Fairford International Air Tattoo 31 Smaldeel24
NTM-199815–26 June Lecheld JaboSt 321 21 Gruppo18
NTM-200118–24 June Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel EC 1/1218
NTM-200228 June – 9 July Beja Esq 301 221 LtBVr
NTM-20032–8 June Cambrai EC 1/12 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-200430 August – 6 September Schleswig-Jagel TLG 51 JaboSt 321
NTM-20052–9 May Balikesir 192 Filo 230 Sqn11
NTM-200625 September – 2 October Albacete 142 Esc EC 1/1213
NTM-200723 September – 1 October Ørland 338 Skv 31 Smaldeel18
NTM-200822 June – 29 June Landivisiau Flottille 11F Fliegerstaffel 1119
NTM-200914–25 September Kleine Brogel 31 Smaldeel EC 1/1218
NTM-20104–15 October Volkel 313 Sqn. 211th Sqn18
NTM-20119–20 May Cambrai EC 1/12 Esq 30119
NTM-201229 May – 8 June Ørland 338 Skv 31 Smaldeel17
NTM-201317–28 June Ørland 338 Skv TLG 51
NTM-201416–27 June Schleswig-Jagel TLG 51 Fliegerstaffel 11
NTM-20154–16 May Konya 192 Filo 21 Gruppo
NTM-201616–27 May Zaragoza Ala 15 31 Smaldeel19

Bibliography
  • Heuvel, Coen van den & Tuyn, Jac van. Tiger Meet, the 25th Anniversary 'NATO' Tiger Meet, Osprey, 1986, 978-0-8504-5703-2.

References
  1. http://www.natotigers.org/tiger-units retrieved 18 May 2016
  2. Archer, Bob, New Tails for the Tigers, Air Forces Monthly, Issue 317, August 2014, p.9
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