No other NATO event is better known to the public than the annual NATO Tiger Meet. One of the main reasons for its popularity is not only the colourfully painted aircraft, but also the fact that the NTM (official designation for NATO Tiger Meet) is conducted at a different location each year. Since 1961 Tiger Meet has been conducted annually with only a few exceptions while the theme behind every meeting is always the same: To extend the understanding within NATO Air Forces of their common tasks, creation of “Tiger-Spirit” and to improve mission capability through the exchange of experience. The first Tiger Meet was conducted in 1961 at RAF Woodbridge UK involving participants from the USA, France and Great Britain being represented by 79th TFS, No 74 Sqn and EC1/12 respectively. Currently, no less than 19 different Squadrons belong to the NATO Tiger Association (NTA). The NTA is the governing body of Tiger Meet, however the NTA is not an official NATO organisation, that is Tiger Meet is not an official NATO exercise, but as the name suggests a regular meeting at squadron and/or wing level. The organisation of events and planning is always carried out by the host unit. Invitations are sent, accommodation is organised, tasking arranged, programs scheduled and manpower provided. All of these tasks take months to complete and are carried out with the limited manpower recourses available and these additional tasks must not affect regular duties. The men and woman of TRW 51 carry out these tasks efficiently and professionally as demonstrated by the fact that the whole meeting functioned very smoothly and involved no organisation induced losses resulting in all participants being very satisfied with the entire event.

The prime purpose of Tiger Meet is of course the exchange of experience and ideas, although not necessarily at an aeronautical level. To learn and standardise on a common operational doctrine is one of the main purposes of this exercise.
Practised extensively at Schleswig Jagel are Composite Air Operations (COMAO) formed the bulk of the operational exercises undertaken at NTM. Different mission scenarios were flown in a multi-national environment to capitalise on the capabilities of the various aircraft involved and also to highlight any shortcomings and address them. Each exercise day one COMAO was carried out each involving a different mission profile, while no less than 220 air movements took place each week. If there was one thing all of the participants had in common – it was the tiger displayed in their squadron patch or at least something that resembled a tiger and so a cat of prey it was! With one of the more popular being the squadron patch of the TRW 51 incorporating a black panther. Amongst the 19 full-members are a further 9 honorary members and two Squadrons with candidate status (No.1 Sqn Slovak AF from Sliac and the 155° Gruppo AMI from Piacenza) belong to the NTA. This year two new full-members have been affiliated within the NTA: Fliegerstaffel 11 Swiss Air Force and No. 1 Sqn NATO from Geilenkirchen AB equipped with Boeing E -3A AWACS. There is something else that all Tiger members have in common, and that’s the gorgeous paint schemes of their aircraft. The “coloured bird” shown above was painted or to be more exact airbrushed by Burghard Jepsen, a airbrushing world champion living in the city of Kropp near Schleswig Jagel AB.

The longest journey was completed by a KC-135E of the New Jersey Air National Guard (ANG) belonging to the 141 ARS based at Mc Guire AFB. Unfortunately their enormous stuck on tiger could only be seen from one side of the fuselage. While a Stratotanker was responsible for the air to air refuelling, a Boeing E-3A Sentry carried out its role as a flying command and control post. During the exercise this E-3A was stationed at the Danish Airbase at Skrydstrup – some 45 miles north of Schleswig Jagel. Apart from Luftwaffe Tornados, the Lockheed-Martin F-16 was the most prolific aircraft type this year at NATO Tiger Meet. The Belgian Air Force attended with three F-16’s of the No.31 Sqn based at Kleine Brogel AB, while the Turk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish AF) sent two F-16C’s and one F-16D from the 192° Filo Balikesir AB (by the way 192° Filo is host of the 2005 NTM!!!). Also the RNLAF sent two F-16’s although only to attend the closing ceremony at the weeks end. Due to operational requirements the following wings/squadrons cancelled their participation at short notice: 120 FS USAF (F-16C), No. 338 Sqn RNoAF (F -16MLU), 11 Flottille Aeronaval (Super Etendard), No. 1 Sqn Slovak AF (MiG-29), No. 814 Sqn RAF (Merlin) and No 230 Sqn RAF (Super Puma). Similar to the Dutch AF, No.301 Sqn of the Portuguese AF sent one of their Alpha Jets to the closing ceremony of the exercise.

The Spanish Air Force was represented by four AMD Mirage F-1M’s of 142 Escadron based at the Los Llanos AB in Albaceite. This relatively new squadron was established in 1980 while the Spanish designation for the F -1M is C.14. Primarily, the Mirage is used by the Spanish Air Force in the interceptor and ground attack role however during NTM the Spanish flew all but interceptor missions. Not as colourful as many of their comrades, the Spanish Mirages were still very attractive with their colourfully painted fuel tanks. Interestingly enough their squadron emblem (a pre-historic sabre-toothed tiger) was not applied but the winged emblem of ALA 14 (ALA meaning Wing) can be seen behind the air intakes. As previously mentioned, Fliegerstaffel 11 from Duebendorf/Switzerland is NTA`s newest full member. The Swiss are particularly proudly of this as FL St 11 is the first non-NATO member to be accepted into the NTA. Switzerland participates in the PFP (Partnership for Peace) program, however she still maintains her neutrality. A guest list over 20 year’s long preceded the admission of the FL St 11 as full member within the NTA. Altogether 4 F/A-18C as well as one F/A-18D and 23 aircrew and support staff represented the Swiss contingent at Schleswig. Capt. Daniel “Daenu” Keller expressed his view and that of his comrades regarding NTM 2004 with special mention being made of the outstanding organization of the event by the men and women of the TRW 51. Asked, if he held any regrets about participating at NTM instead of an air show celebrating the Swiss Air Force held concurrently at Payerne AB, he said without hesitation “that no air show can match this meeting in Northern Germany, not even one in the homeland”. Very high praise indeed!

Tiger Meet not only involves a purely military aspect but also promotes some social events with so-called “Tiger Games” bring organized as a kind of sports event amongst the crews. Likewise an evaluation of all participants is accomplished as the respective winner receives a trophy - The Silver Tiger – The Challenge cup, which is awarded annually. The winner this year was 1st Sqn of JaBoG 32 based at Lechfeld. With their ECR Tornado aircraft which played an important part in the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) role. The reconnaissance role was carried out naturally by TRW 51.
Altogether 12 different squadrons operating 31 aircraft were present at NTM 04, forming a considerable contingent. For some outsiders the specially painted aircraft and the colourful tiger markings displayed might be an indication that the NTM is not taken too seriously. This is definitely not the case. Attendance at NATO Tiger Meet is classed by the armed forces as “high value training” and the fact that there is an element of fun is also an added benefit. Perhaps it’s because they do have fun at the NTM is why everyone puts in so much more work than they are obliged to. And that’s exactly what the NATO Tiger Association is all about: To maintain the Tiger Spirit or put in to words: Tiger, Tiger, Tiger!

Ihr Robert Kysela / manging editor