NATO Tiger Association
.jpg)
.jpg)
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 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.
- 1 Jet Training Squadron
.svg.png)
- 211. taktická letka (211th Tactical Squadron)
- 221. vrtulníková letka (221st Helicopter Squadron)
- Escadron de Chasse et d'Expérimentation 05/330
- Escadron de Chasse 1/7 "Provence"
- Flottille 11F
- Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann"
- Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 "Bavarian Tigers"
- 335 Squadron "Tigers"
- 59/1 Squadron[2]
- XII Gruppo
- 21 Gruppo (387th and 388th Flights)
- 313 Squadron
- 338 Skvadron
- 6 Squadron[2]
- 142 Escuadrón
- Ala 15
- 192 Filo
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.
- Aufklärungsgeschwader 52
- Jagdbombergeschwader 32 (disbanded March 2013)[2]
- Jagdbomberstaffel 431
- Escadron de Chasse 1/12
- 336 Squadron
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.
| Event | Dates | Location | Host | Silver Tiger | Units | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTM-1961 | July 19–20 | | | 3 | ||
| NTM-1962 | August 22–25 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1963 | August 27–30 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1964 | June 9–15 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1965 | August 14–18 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1966 | July 5–9 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1967 | May 29-June 2 | | | 7 | ||
| NTM-1968 | August 16–20 | |  | 8 | ||
| NTM-1969 | July 4–8 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1970 | June 6–11 | | | 8 | ||
| NTM-1971 | June 14–21 | | | 9 | ||
| NTM-1972 | June 12–19 | | | 9 | ||
| NTM-1973 | June 16–22 | | | 10 | ||
| NTM-1974 | June 25-July 1 | | | 9 | ||
| NTM-1975 | August 3–9 | | | 9 | ||
| NTM-1976 | May 31-June 4 | | | 9 | ||
| NTM-1977 | June 22–28 | | | | 11 | |
| NTM-1978 | June 19–26 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-1979 | June 18–25 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-1980 | June 9–16 | | | | 14 | |
| NTM-1981 | June 12–15 | | | | 8 | |
| NTM-1982 | August 26–30 | | | | 12 | |
| NTM-1983 | June 10–16 | | | | ||
| NTM-1984 | August 13–20 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-1985 | July 1–8 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-1986 | June 8–16 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-1987 | June 23–30 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-1988 | July 5–12 | | | | 14 | |
| NTM-1990 | August 12–17 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-1991 | July 17–21 | | | | 16 | |
| NTM-1992 | May 14–22 | | | | 15 | |
| NTM-1993 | August 8–13 | | | | 10 | |
| NTM-1994 | May 3–10 | | | | 19 | |
| NTM-1996 | May 21–29 | | | | 15 | |
| NTM-1997 | July 16–21 | | | | 24 | |
| NTM-1998 | June 15–26 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-2001 | June 18–24 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-2002 | June 28-July 9 | | | | ||
| NTM-2003 | June 2–8 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-2004 | August 30-September 6 | | | | ||
| NTM-2005 | May 2–9 | | | | 11 | |
| NTM-2006 | September 25-October 2 | | | | 13 | |
| NTM-2007 | September 23-October 1 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-2008 | June 22-June 29 | | | | 19 | |
| NTM-2009 | September 14–25 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-2010 | October 4–15 | | | | 18 | |
| NTM-2011 | May 9–20 | | | | 19 | |
| NTM-2012 | May 29-June 8 | | | | 17 | |
| NTM-2013 | June 17–28 | | | | ||
| NTM-2014 | June 16–27 | | | | ||
| NTM-2015 | May 4–16 | | | | ||
| NTM-2016 | May 16–27 | | | | 19 |
Bibliography
- Heuvel, Coen van den & Tuyn, Jac van. Tiger Meet, the 25th Anniversary 'NATO' Tiger Meet, Osprey, 1986, 978-0-8504-5703-2.
References
- ↑ http://www.natotigers.org/tiger-units retrieved 18 May 2016
- 1 2 3 Archer, Bob, New Tails for the Tigers, Air Forces Monthly, Issue 317, August 2014, p.9
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tiger Meet. |