NATO Tiger Association

Informal association of NATO air forces From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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. However, it is not part of the formal NATO structure.

NATO Tiger Association logo
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 German Eurofighter Typhoon of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 at the 'Tiger Meet' in 2014
Tail fin of a Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11 F/A-18C Hornet
Spanish EF-18AM Hornet at Tiger Meet at Zaragoza Air Base, 2016

The 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) of the United States Air Forces in Europe 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 RAF Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO. [1]

Capitain Michael Dugan of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) searched for another squadrons in all European NATO air forces. He managed to find 5 new squadrons, the second meeting in 1962 with 8 squadrons participating. [1]

As of May 2025, the squadrons included in the Association are 24 full members, 9 honorary members, 1 probationary member, 8 disbanded members and 4 former members. All members of the Association of Tiger Squadrons have a tiger as part of their squadron crests.[2]

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

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.

More information Event, Dates ...
EventDatesLocationHostSilver TigerUnitsRef
196119–20 JulyUnited Kingdom RAF WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS3[6]
196222–25 AugustUnited Kingdom RAF WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS8[7]]
196327–30 AugustBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 Smaldeel8[8]
19649–15 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/128[9]
196514–18 AugustGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFS8[10]
19665–9 JulyUnited Kingdom RAF LeucharsUnited Kingdom 74 (F) Sqn8[11]
196729 May – 2 JuneGermany Leck Air BaseGermany AG 527[12]
196816–20 AugustGermany CAFB LahrCanada 439 TFS8[13]
19694–8 JulyUnited Kingdom RAF WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS8[14]
19706–11 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 Smaldeel8[15]
197114–21 JuneUnited Kingdom RAF Upper HeyfordGermany Jagdbomberstaffel 4319[16]
197212–19 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/129[17]
197316–22 JuneItaly CameriItaly 21 Gruppo10[18]
197425 June – 1 JulyGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFS9[19]
19753–9 AugustGermany LeckGermany AG 529[20]
197631 May – 4 JuneGermany Baden-SoellingenCanada 439 TFS9[21]
197722–28 JuneUnited Kingdom RAF Greenham CommonUnited States 79 TFSCanada 439 TFS11[22]
197819–26 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelBelgium 31 Smaldeel13[23]
197918–25 JuneFrance BA CambraiFrance EC 1/12Canada 439 TFS13[24]
19809–16 JuneItaly CameriItaly 21 GruppoPortugal Esq 30114[25]
198112–15 JuneGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFSCanada 439 TFS8[26]
198226–30 AugustGermany GüterslohUnited Kingdom 230 SqnSwitzerland Fliegerstaffel 1112[27]
198310–16 JuneGermany Baden-SoellingenCanada 439 TFSGermany JaboSt 43112[28]
198413–20 AugustGermany LeckGermany AG 52Belgium 31 Smaldeel13[29]
19851–8 JulyBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelPortugal Esq 30113[30]
19868–16 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12United States 53 TFS18[31]
198723–30 JunePortugal MontijoPortugal Esq 301Germany Jagdbomberstaffel 43118[32]
19885–12 JulyItaly CameriItaly 21 GruppoUnited Kingdom 74 (F) Sqn14[33]
199012–17 AugustUnited Kingdom RAF Upper HeyfordUnited States 79 TFSUnited States 79 TFS13[34]
199117–21 JulyUnited Kingdom RAF FairfordRIATUnited States 53 TFS16[35]
199214–22 MaySpain AlbaceteSpain 142 EscFrance EC 1/1215[36]
19938–13 AugustBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelUnited States 79 TFS10[37]
19943–10 MayFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Belgium 31 Smaldeel19[38]
199621–29 MayPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 301Belgium 31 Smaldeel15[39]
199716–21 JulyUnited Kingdom RAF FairfordRIATBelgium 31 Smaldeel24[40]
199815–26 JuneGermany LechfeldGermany JaboSt 321Italy 21 Gruppo18[41]
200118–24 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelFrance EC 1/1218[42]
200228 June – 9 JulyPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 301Czech Republic 221 LtBVr19[43]
20032–8 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Belgium 31 Smaldeel13[44]
200430 August – 6 SeptemberGermany Schleswig-JagelGermany TLG 51Germany JaboSt 32114[45]
20052–9 MayTurkey BalikesirTurkey 192 FiloUnited Kingdom 230 Sqn11[46]
200625 September – 2 OctoberSpain AlbaceteSpain 142 EscFrance EC 1/1213[47]
200723 September – 1 OctoberNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvBelgium 31 Smaldeel18[48]
200822 – 29 JuneFrance LandivisiauFrance Flottille 11FSwitzerland Fliegerstaffel 1119[49]
200914–25 SeptemberBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelFrance EC 1/1218[50]
20104–15 OctoberNetherlands VolkelNetherlands 313 Sqn.Czech Republic 211th Sqn18[51]
20119–20 MayFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Portugal Esq 30119[52]
201229 May – 8 JuneNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvBelgium 31 Smaldeel17[53]
201317–28 JuneNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvGermany TLG 5119[54]
201416–27 JuneGermany Schleswig-JagelGermany TLG 51Switzerland Fliegerstaffel 1116[55]
20154–16 MayTurkey KonyaTurkey 192 FiloItaly 21 Gruppo13[56]
201616–27 MaySpain ZaragozaSpain Ala 15Belgium 31 Smaldeel22[57]
20175–16 JuneFrance LandivisiauFrance Flottille 11FBelgium 31 Smaldeel20[58]
201814–25 MayPoland PoznańPoland 6 ELTNetherlands 313 Sqn.22[59]
201913–24 MayFrance Mont-de-MarsanFrance EC 3/30Portugal Esq 30118[60]
20212–14 MayPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 301Italy 12° Gruppo8[61]
"XT-Roar-dinary Tiger Event" 20217–14 SeptemberBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelEvent cancelled due to Covid-19[62]
20229–20 MayGreece AraxosGreece 335 MiraFrance EC 3/3010[63]
20232–13 OctoberItaly Gioia Del ColleItaly 12° GruppoGermany TaktLwG 7418[64]
2024 3-13 June Germany Schleswig-Jagel Germany TLG 51 Poland 6 ELT 14 [65]
2025 21 September - 6 October Portugal Beja Portugal Esq 301 Switzerland Fliegerstaffel 11 16 [66]
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Bibliography

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

References

External links

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