In 1959 M. Pierre Messmer, the French Defence Minister, was concerned about military relationships in NATO, and in particular those between France, the United States of America and Great Britain and issued a directive to improve these where possible. Coincidentally, the Commanding Officer of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), based in the UK was seeking to establish even closer ties with his British hosts and invited a Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron with a common heraldry to a unit exchange in 1960. That heraldry was in the form of a Tiger's head incorporated into the official Unit badge and the RAF unit was the famous 74 (Fighter) Squadron. The following year, another meeting was arranged and, on this occasion, the British based 'team' invited a French Squadron, EC.01.012 from across the Channel and so the NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) was born.
In those heady days of the early 1960s, the annual meeting grew quickly and, in 1962, no less than eight Squadrons from six nations met on the European Continent for the first time. This rapid and somewhat unexpected early growth resulted in an urgent need to establish criteria for membership and to outline some aims and objectives for both the NATO Tigers Association (NTA) and the annual Tiger Meet.
In order to be considered for membership of the Association, a unit had to possess a tiger's head in its official unit heraldry, in keeping with the origins and common ethos of the Association. Over the years and, in a typically European way, certain small (or large!) compromises have been made, and the membership requirements have been extended to allow any unit with a 'Big Cat' in its badge to apply for membership. At one stage a German squadron with a fox's head badge, skilfully managed to persuade the Association to grant membership by brazenly stating "Believe it or not, it's a tiger!"
Equally important were the aims and objectives of the NTA, which are as valid today as they were when they were first drawn up over 40 years ago and, in spite of the monumental changes that NATO has witnessed during its more recent history. Thus, the Association, through its annual exercise, is responsible for the promotion of NATO solidarity, the achievement and maintenance of stronger professional relationships between respective air and ground crews, and the creation of a better understanding of NATO objectives between member nations.
The intervening years have seen highs and lows for the NTA. There was rapid growth in the 1960 as more nations clamoured to join, widening both the opportunities and experience gained by the 'NATO Tigers' as they were now collectively known. This was tempered by the oil crisis of the 1970s and associated economic downturn, which put pressure on defence budgets. The annual NATO Tiger Meet continued but was now reduced to weekend 'fly-ins', interspersed with professional seminars and social events.
A resurgence in the 1980s allowed a return to the more operationally focussed NATO Tiger Meet, but as the decade ended once again the NTA faced major challenges due to collapse of the Iron Curtain and the desire amongst NATO countries for a peace dividend. Large-scale force reductions on both sides of the former 'Iron Curtain' included a relatively large number of NATO Tiger Squadrons, including some of the stalwart members that had been with the Association through the lean years.
Fortunately, like many military organisations facing potential adversity, the NTA was able to overcome and adapt. A new source of eager and potential recruits had just been opened up in the form of the Air Forces of former Warsaw Pact countries. With impressive foresight, some countries immediately saw the potential benefits to be gained from membership of such an auspicious organisation within NATO and in particular Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Further adjustments to the map of Europe including the voluntary separation of the Czech and Slovak Republics did little to dim this enthusiasm and several units started to support the NTA, just as they were losing members, thus allowing the tradition to live on through new blood.
Another major factor that has enabled both the NTA and the NTM to continue to grow and prosper has been the renewal of the commitment to the operational aspects of the annual Tiger Meet. In an age of continued pressure on defence budgets this has become of paramount importance. The membership of the NTA rose to the challenge and has enjoyed a wide range of extremely demanding and rewarding operational exercises in an equally wide variety of locations in recent years.
There can be little doubt that success in major international operations such as Operation DESERT STORM in 1991 and Operation ALLIED FORCE over Kosovo in 1999 was, in part, due to the maintenance of the original aims and objectives amongst the considerable number of NATO Tigers involved in those operations, whether they were still with their respective units or now working in unison in multinational Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) or Air Head-Quarters (AHQs). The ongoing NATO-sponsored ISAF Operation in Afghanistan continues to underline the importance of this annual event. For countries that cannot afford to participate in large 'Flag exercises' in North America, the 'Tiger Meet' is one of the few multi-national exercises available. In view of the changing world security situation, participation is becoming ever more important.
NTM exercises follow a theme, with an independent, daily, scenario within the overall exercise scenario allowing for the full integration of all air elements, regardless of role, and a co-ordination of joint training.
All flying operations are overseen by a NATO Boeing E-3 Sentry which monitors and updates the participants with the ever changing scenario. Mission packages are assembled to practice conventional ground attack, including close air support, as well as air superiority. No weapons are carried, as all engagements and aerial attacks are simulated. For some participants, on station times can be prolonged with the use of aerial refuelling.
The Tiger Meets always attract a large following from the aviation enthusiast community. Several enthusiasts' days have been arranged on base for NTM 2010, the first of which was set up for the 7th October. The 750 enthusiasts who attended were treated to watching (and photographing) the flight operations from the south side of the main runways. Sadly the weather did not co-operate, with low cloud for most of the day, however two waves were flown, with all the 'Tiger' jets seen in the skies at some point.
Despite the late cancellation of the Spanish AF contingent (F/A-18s and Mirage F1s), the French AF Rafales, and the Pumas of 230 Sqn RAF, NTM 2010 has still been well supported. F-16s are in plentiful supply, courtesy of 313 Sqn RNLAF (the host unit), 338 Skv RNoAF, 31 Sm BAF and 192 Filo TuAF, while the German squadrons of 321 Sqn/JBG-32 and AG-51 have provided Tornado ECR and IDS models respectively. The Mirage 2000 is represented with 'B/C' variants by EC 01.012 'Cambresis' and 'D' examples by EC 05.330 'Cote d'Argent', and SAAB's latest creation, the Gripen, is participating with both 211.tl CzAF and MH 59 Sz.D.REB, HuAF. Additionally, the Austrian AF's own Tiger Squadron, Düsentrainerstaffel, are present with five of their Saab J105OË trainers, while the rotary contingent is made up of AB212s of 21 Gr ItAR and a single Mi-35 from 221.lbvr CzAR. E-3 operations are being flown by a NAEW&CF example operating from Geilenkirchen, with tanker support provided by a single KC-135R from 121st ARW, flying to and from Eindhoven.
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