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NATO TIGER ASSOCIATION (NTA)

ORIGINS

The NATO TIGER ASSOCIATION was founded 1959, when the french Secretary of Defence, M. Pierre Messner, had the desire, to improve the relationship between individual squadrons within NATO.

79th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron) of USAFE (US Forces in Europe) picked up this idea, took the initiative and invited on July 19 1961 No. 74 Sqdn of the Royal Airforce and EC 1/12 of the French Armeé de l'Air to Woodbridge in England. So the first Tigermeet took place and many more should follow.
The Tiger

Each of these squadrons had a tiger's head in their squadron crest. The tiger stands as a symbol of strength, speed and hunting prowess.

The program of the first Tiger Meet saw combined operational flying, as well as a close formation flyby of all the participating squadrons.

Following on from this success, it was decided that future Tiger Meets would be held annually.The 79th TFS continued to establish relationships with all tiger squadrons, with the result, that 8 squadrons from 6 different countries participated in the 1962 Woodbridge event.
Aims

At this second Tiger Meet, the following aims were formulated. These aims remain valid to this day: 

  • Improvement of solidarity between NATO members
  • Creation and maintenance of team-spirit and cameraderie between the participating members
  • Exchange of experiences and cooperation in line with the military goals of NATO 

Today the NATO Tiger Association consists of 26 squadrons from 14 countries, including No 11 squadron from Switzerland, which holds a special observer status for non-NATO members.
Military Benefits

The outcome and the benefits of membership in NTA and participation in Tiger Meets cover a wide variety:

  • The common planning, preparation and flying of missions is the overall goal for all participants.
  • The participants fly combined missions encompassing the entire spectrum of military operations.
  • Alongside low flying, emphasis is placed on air to air refueling, air combat, formation flying, combat survival training, the use of weapon ranges and so on.
  • The exchange of experiences between aircrews must not be underestimated. For countries that can not afford to participate in large Flag Exercises in North America, the NATO Tiger Meet is one of the few multinational exercises available.
  • In view of the changing world security situation, participation is becoming ever more important.
The Tiger Meets

More information through the "central organ" of the NATO Tiger Association: www.natotigers.org

A (the) Ronald Wong story about an outstanding tiger painting on the nose of an F-111E

Invitation to all Tigers visiting Sheppard AFB

Tigermeet of the Americas 2002
A small photo series of Ecki's CF-18 ride

Tiger Painter

Ecki shows the flag (scarf)
The Members of NTA
 

The Tiger Squadrons
Squadron
Nation
Remarks
 
 
Regular Members
79th FS/20th Wing NTA founding member. Left Upper Heyford, England, in1993. Flys today F-16 out of Shaw AFB, USA.
US Air Force
EC 1/12 NTA founding member. Mirage 2000C/B in Cambrai-Epinoy (B.A. 103)
Armée de l´Air
31éme Escadrille Member since 1962. Stationend in Kleine Brogel with F-16A/B MLU
F. A. Belge
439 Squadron Member since 1962. Until 1993 CF-18 in Baden-Söllingen (Germany). Meanwhile CH-146 in Bagotville.
Kanada
AG 51 "Immelmann" The AG 52 (TRW 51) was member since 1965. After its disbandment 1991 512 squadron took over the tradition from 1995 on. Flying Tornado in the recce mission from Schleswig-Jagel, Germany.
Luftwaffe
230 Squadron Member since 1977. Puma HC.1-Helicopter in Aldergrove.
Royal Air Force
Esquadra 301 Member since 1978. Since 1993 Alpha Jet. Now stationed in Beja.
F. A. Portuguesa
814 Squadron Member since 1979. Flyes Merlin Mk.1in Culdrose.
Royal Navy
Flottille 11F Member since 1979. French Navy, flyes Super-Etendard-Staffel in Landivisau.
Aéronavale
192 Filo Member since 1980. Flyes F-16C/D in Balikesir, Turkey.
Turkey Hava K.
Escuadron 142 Member since 1986. Flyes spanish Mirage F.1C, stationed in Albacete, Spain.
Ejercito del Aire
EC 5/330 Member since 1990. Flyes Mirage-F.1, stationed in Mont-de-Marsan, France.
Armée de l´Air
313 Squadron Member since1990. Flyes F-16A/B MLU in Twenthe, Netherlands.
RnethAF
1. Staffel/JaboG 32 Member since1996. Tiger crest was introduced in 1991. Tornado ECR in Lechfeld, Germany.
Luftwaffe
494th FS / 48th FW Member since 1998. Flyes F-15E in Lakenheath (England).
US Air Force
331st Sqn. Stationed in Prerov, Cech Republic, flyes Mil Mi-24 Helicopters.
Ceske L.
12 Gruppo/36 Stormo Tornado F3 in Gioia del Colle, Italy.
A. M. Italiano
 
 
Probationary Members
155 Gruppo/50 Stormo Tornado ECR, Piacenza, Italy
A. M. Italiano
338 Skvadron F-16/AM/BM in Orland, Norway.
Norwegian Airforce
NATO AEW Force E-3A in Geilenkirchen, Germany.
 
 
Honorary Members
391st FS Member seit 1962, F-15E, Mountain Home AFB, USA.
US Air Force
VP-8 Member since 1978. P-3C Orion, New Brunswick NAS, USA.
US Navy
393 BS/509th Wing Member since 1978, B-2A, Whiteman AFB, USA.
US Air Force
11th Squadron Member since 1981. F/A-18 Hornet, Duebendorf, Switzerland.
swiss Luftwaffe
141st ARS/108th ARW Member since 1986. Since 1991 KC-135E Tanker, McGuire AFB, USA.
Air Nat. Guard
41st Sqn Ceske L. Member since 1991. MiG-21FM/UM, Caslav, Cech Republik.
37th BS/28th Wing US Air Force B-1B Lancer, Ellsworth AFB, USA.
120th FS/140th Wing F-16C/D, Buckley AFB, USA
US Air Force
 
 
No longer member
74 Squadron Founding member, BAe Hawk T.1A, RAF Valley, UK.
Royal Air Force
431 Squadron
German Luftwaffe		 Member since 1962, ALFA Jet, disbanded 1993.
53rd FS
US Air Force		 Member since 1962, disbanded 1999.
21. Gruppo
A. M. Italiano		 Member since 1968, disbanded March 2001.
336 Skvadron Member since 1977, disbanded 2000
R. Norwegian AF
 
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