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 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
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
A Super Étendard of the Flottille 11F of the French Navy during a 'Tiger Meet' in 2007

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.

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 JulyUnited Kingdom WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS3
NTM-196222–25 AugustUnited Kingdom WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS8
NTM-196327–30 AugustBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 Smaldeel8
NTM-19649–15 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/128
NTM-196514–18 AugustGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFS8
NTM-19665–9 JulyUnited Kingdom LeucharsUnited Kingdom 74 (F) Sqn8
NTM-196729 May – 2 JuneGermany LeckGermany AG 527
NTM-196816–20 AugustGermany LahrCanada 439 TFS8
NTM-19694–8 JulyUnited Kingdom WoodbridgeUnited States 79 TFS8
NTM-19706–11 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 Smaldeel8
NTM-197114–21 JuneUnited Kingdom Upper HeyfordGermany Jagdbomberstaffel 4319
NTM-197212–19 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/129
NTM-197316–22 JuneItaly CameriItaly 21 Gruppo10
NTM-197425 June – 1 JulyGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFS9
NTM-19753–9 AugustGermany LeckGermany AG 529
NTM-197631 May – 4 JuneGermany Baden-SoellingenCanada 439 TFS9
NTM-197722–28 JuneUnited Kingdom RAF Greenham CommonUnited States 79 TFSCanada 439 TFS11
NTM-197819–26 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelBelgium 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-197918–25 JuneFrance BA CambraiFrance EC 1/12Canada 439 TFS13
NTM-19809–16 JuneItaly CameriItaly 21 GruppoPortugal Esq 30114
NTM-198112–15 JuneGermany BitburgUnited States 53 TFSCanada 439 TFS8
NTM-198226–30 AugustGermany GüterslohUnited Kingdom 230 SqnSwitzerland Fliegerstaffel 1112
NTM-198310–16 JuneGermany Baden-SoellingenCanada 439 TFSGermany JaboSt 43112
NTM-198413–20 AugustGermany LeckGermany AG 52Belgium 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-19851–8 JulyBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelPortugal Esq 30113
NTM-19868–16 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12United States 53 TFS18
NTM-198723–30 JunePortugal MontijoPortugal Esq 301Germany JaboSt 43118
NTM-19885–12 JulyItaly CameriItaly 21 GruppoUnited Kingdom 74 (F) Sqn14
NTM-199012–17 AugustUnited Kingdom Upper HeyfordUnited States 79 TFSUnited States 79 TFS13
NTM-199117–21 JulyUnited Kingdom FairfordUnited Kingdom International Air TattooUnited States 53 TFS16
NTM-199214–22 MaySpain AlbaceteSpain 142 EscFrance EC 1/1215
NTM-19938–13 AugustBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelUnited States 79 TFS10
NTM-19943–10 MayFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Belgium 31 Smaldeel19
NTM-199621–29 MayPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 301Belgium 31 Smaldeel15
NTM-199716–21 JulyUnited Kingdom FairfordUnited Kingdom International Air TattooBelgium 31 Smaldeel24
NTM-199815–26 JuneGermany LechfeldGermany JaboSt 321Italy 21 Gruppo18
NTM-200118–24 JuneBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelFrance EC 1/1218
NTM-200228 June – 9 JulyPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 301Czech Republic 221 LtBVr19
NTM-20032–8 JuneFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Belgium 31 Smaldeel13
NTM-200430 August – 6 SeptemberGermany Schleswig-JagelGermany TLG 51Germany JaboSt 32114
NTM-20052–9 MayTurkey BalikesirTurkey 192 FiloUnited Kingdom 230 Sqn11
NTM-200625 September – 2 OctoberSpain AlbaceteSpain 142 EscFrance EC 1/1213
NTM-200723 September – 1 OctoberNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvBelgium 31 Smaldeel18
NTM-200822 – 29 JuneFrance LandivisiauFrance Flottille 11FSwitzerland Fliegerstaffel 1119
NTM-200914–25 SeptemberBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 SmaldeelFrance EC 1/1218
NTM-20104–15 OctoberNetherlands VolkelNetherlands 313 Sqn.Czech Republic 211th Sqn18
NTM-20119–20 MayFrance CambraiFrance EC 1/12Portugal Esq 30119
NTM-201229 May – 8 JuneNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvBelgium 31 Smaldeel17
NTM-201317–28 JuneNorway ØrlandNorway 338 SkvGermany TLG 5119
NTM-201416–27 JuneGermany Schleswig-JagelGermany TLG 51Switzerland Fliegerstaffel 1116
NTM-20154–16 MayTurkey KonyaTurkey 192 FiloItaly 21 Gruppo13
NTM-201616–27 MaySpain ZaragozaSpain Ala 15Belgium 31 Smaldeel22
NTM-20175–16 JuneFrance LandivisiauFrance Flottille 11FBelgium 31 Smaldeel20
NTM-201814–25 MayPoland PoznańPoland 6 ELTNetherlands 313 Sqn.22
NTM-201913–24 MayFrance Mont-de-MarsanFrance EC 3/30Portugal Esq 30118
NTM-20212–14 MayPortugal BejaPortugal Esq 3017
XTM-20217–14 SeptemberBelgium Kleine BrogelBelgium 31 Smaldeel
NTM-20229–20 MayGreece AraxosGreece 335 MiraFrance EC 3/3010
NTM-20232–13 OctoberItaly Gioia Del ColleItaly 12° GruppoGermany TaktLwG 7418

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. "Tiger Units | NATO Tigers". natotigers.org. 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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