The end of this year’s NATO Tiger Meet also commemorated the 10th anniversary of TRW51 “Immelmann”. Formed by the amalgamation of the former TRW 52 from Leck AB together with elements of Naval Air Wing 1, TRW 51 is the only remaining tactical reconnaissance wing within the German Luftwaffe. Officially formed on 1 January 1994, TRW 51 is also the newest jet equipped unit in Luftwaffe service. With a complement of more than 1,800 men and women, TRW 51 also provides a very important economic contribution to the local region. While only one decade old, the Immelmaenner (TRW 51 took over the traditional name “Immelmann” from the former TRW 52 based at Bremgarten AB) can look back on an eventful history. Apart from a few civil emergency deployments, for example the flooding of the Rhine and the Mosel rivers, it was above all their successful deployment to the Balkans which brought TRW 51 into public light. From 1995 to the end of July 2001 six aircraft of TRW 51 were stationed at the Italian Piacenza air base flying reconnaissance missions over Bosnia and Kosovo. These and other achievements were highlighted and strongly praised by the commander of 3 Luftwaffe Division, Major Gen Kreuzinger Janik at the official ceremony. With this and the successful conclusion to NTM 04 there was a lot to celebrate by the thousands of guests who attended on the evening of 4 September.

Even as some equipment was being transported home (C-130E of the Spanish Air Force) at the conclusion of Tiger Meet, guests were still arriving just to participate in the closing ceremonies. In particular a Portuguese Alpha Jet of No 301 Sqn “Jaguares” sporting it’s if not completely new, still spectacular paint scheme becoming the centre of attention for the all who attended (see below). The reason why the 10th anniversary celebrations were held at the end of Tiger Meet and not earlier was to allow visiting guests to see the very special aircraft in attendance with one aircraft of each participating unit (with the exception of the Spanish Mirage F.1M) being combined to form an exquisite static display. In perfect weather conditions, visitors witnessed not only the latest in aviation technology, but also could acquire various souvenirs by the way of patches, key fobs, calendars, decals, etc.

A special highlight was the motorcycles of the manufacturer MZ arrayed in front of the aircraft on display. The brand new MZ 1000 SF painted by Burghard Jepsen and his team in the colours of the Tiger Meet planes, this bike later being auctioned with all proceeds going to charity. Altogether five Bikes, whose introduction on the market is planned for the first quarter of 2005, was displayed in front of the Tiger Meet jets. The MZ 1000 SF is the latest model from this well established company located in the city of Zschoppau – MZ by the way is Germany’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in 1906 by Danish engineer Joergen Rasmussen who built motorcycles from 1922 under the name of DKW – A firm that before and during WW II also held more than a 34% market share as one the largest firms within the industry. After the war it was renamed VEB Motoradwerke (motorcycle works) Zschoppau (MZ) primarily building motorcycles in the 125ccm - 250ccm class. After German reunification, and several owners, the original company had secured itself again a firm place within the motorcycle industry. Therefore many young visitors did not know what to be more exited about, the wonderfully colourful jets or equally as wonderfully colourful Superbikes.

Altogether 11 specially painted aircraft were presented to the public within the static display, with the main attractions including the remarkable Tornado of TRW 51, the previously mentioned Alpha Jet from Portugal and a Czech Air Force Mil Mi-24V “HIND E” helicopter. The winners of this years Silver Tiger Trophy was the team of 1 Sqn of FBW32 based at Lechfeld AB showing not only their beautiful ECR Tornado, but also their Cat Weasel, a tiger-painted Trabbi (Trabant or East German volks car) fitted with stub wings. Other squadrons also brought their own Tigermobiles with them. While the Dutch drove their more or less antiquated VOLKSWAGEN bus (however with MOT approval) next came the Belgians with two genuine cats of prey, two Jaguars made available by a Belgian second hand car dealer, these cars also painted with the Tiger look. So, there was something for everybody: hot jets, Superbikes as well as groovy cars, well…..more or less. No celebration of an Air Force unit is complete with out a weapons display to demonstrate their equipment and capabilities to the public. All equipment used by the TRW 51, from the camera containers, RECCE Pods and air refuelling container/Pod (for air to air refuelling ) right up to the 27mm Mauser cannon, almost everything was on display. Of special interest (particularly to photographers) were the camera systems which were introduced into service only a few years ago. Altogether 4 camera systems are used, a triple lens camera with 80mm focal length, a penta lens camera with a 57mm focal length, a telephoto camera of 610mm focal length for high altitude work and a digital infrared d LINE scanner for infrared photos installed in a pod built by the Daimler Benz Aerospace AG.

Even though the Tornadoes of TRW 51 have their standard role as reconnaissance aircraft, they can still be equipped with the full range of weapon systems, (although these aircraft do fly with purely defensive armament) with the Mauser canon being used purely for self defensive. Additionally Tornadoes can carry ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) Pods and a Chaff/Flare Dispensers (Chaff consists of aluminium strips dispensed to confuse enemy radar-controlled missiles, while Flares are pyrotechnic devices which divert infrared missiles away from their target through their heat). The role of recce Tornadoes is not direct combat, but as the name suggests, finding and photographing prospective targets. TRW 51 was keen to explain to visitors the important mission of this special unit.

Following the previously mentioned official ceremony which included speeches from the commander of the 3 Luftwaffe Division and the CO of TRW 51, Colonel Helmar Storm, everybody switched over to fun mode for celebrations with different kinds of entertainment being provided including live bands and disco’s with lots of “beverages” and takeaway food for the acoustic and physical well-being of the guests. As we packed away our camera equipment, local attire went from military uniforms to civilian clothing as high-ranking guests from Government and the German Federal Armed Forces also enjoyed this unique evening as did the various uniformed Tiger- squadron members, their families and the many visitors from the local Schleswig/Jagel/Kropp area. The 10th anniversary of TRW 51 was one of the largest social events of the region and with an arduous but successful week now behind, one could celebrate (and did) well into the night. As the closing ceremony of the NTM 2004 takes place in the afternoon on the following day, one could have a good nights rest as it was a very well earned celebration.

I would like to thank the following persons for their great support in the production of this report:

Col Storm/CO TRW 51.
Lt Col Hahn
Capt Stritter/511Sqn Project Officer Tiger Meet
Maj Christiansen/CO Photo & Recce Sqn.
Master Sgt Minkenberg/Photo & Recce Sqn - Project NCO Spotter’s day
Hrn OstFw Winkelmann/Maintenance Sqn.

Robert Kysela, managing editor