NATO Tiger Association#Tigermeets

{{more citations needed|date=November 2019}}

File:NATO Tiger Association Patch.jpg

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

File:Tigermalt F-5 jagerfly.jpg of 336 squadron, Royal Norwegian Air Force during a 'Tiger Meet' in 2007. Tiger Meet aircraft are often painted in 'Tiger stripes']]

File:Eurofighter Typhoon '30+09' (14575026750).jpg of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 at the 'Tiger Meet' in 2014]]

File:Mil Mi35 ‘3366’ (26797337973).jpg "Alien Tiger" of the 221st Helicopter Squadron at the 'Tiger Meet' in 2016]]

File:J-5011 Seitenleitwerk.jpg Fliegerstaffel 11 F/A-18C Hornet]]

File:62 28-9-07 1764 BW.jpg of the Flottille 11F of the French Navy during a 'Tiger Meet' in 2007]]

File:McDonnell Douglas EF-18AM Hornet ‘C.15-41 - 15-28’ (31323695292).jpg, 2016]]

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.

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. {{Cite web |title=Hear them roar: the story of the NATO Tiger Association |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_228171.htm}}

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.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.natotigers.org/tiger-units |title=Tiger Units | NATO Tigers |website=natotigers.org |access-date=18 May 2016}}

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.

class="wikitable"
EventDatesLocationHostSilver TigerUnitsRef
196119–20 July{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Woodbridge{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS3{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1961|title=1961 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
196222–25 August{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Woodbridge{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1962|title=1962 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}]
196327–30 August{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1963|title=1963 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19649–15 June{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/128{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1964|title=1964 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
196514–18 August{{flagicon|Germany}} Bitburg{{flagicon|USA}} 53 TFS8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1965|title=1965 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19665–9 July{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Leuchars{{flagicon|UK}} 74 (F) Sqn8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1966|title=1966 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
196729 May – 2 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Leck Air Base{{flagicon|Germany}} AG 527{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1967|title=1967 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
196816–20 August{{flagicon|Germany}} CAFB Lahr{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1968|title=1968 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19694–8 July{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Woodbridge{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1969|title=1969 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19706–11 June{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1970|title=1970 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197114–21 June{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Upper Heyford{{flagicon|Germany}} Jagdbomberstaffel 4319{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1971|title=1971 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197212–19 June{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/129{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1972|title=1972 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197316–22 June{{flagicon|Italy}} Cameri{{flagicon|Italy}} 21 Gruppo10{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1973|title=1973 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197425 June – 1 July{{flagicon|Germany}} Bitburg{{flagicon|USA}} 53 TFS9{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1974|title=1974 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19753–9 August{{flagicon|Germany}} Leck{{flagicon|Germany}} AG 529{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1975|title=1975 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197631 May – 4 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Baden-Soellingen{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS9{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1976|title=1976 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197722–28 June{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Greenham Common{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS11{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1977|title=1977 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197819–26 June{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1978|title=1978 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
197918–25 June{{flagicon|France}} BA Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/12{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1979|title=1979 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19809–16 June{{flagicon|Italy}} Cameri{{flagicon|Italy}} 21 Gruppo{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 30114{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1980|title=1980 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
198112–15 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Bitburg{{flagicon|USA}} 53 TFS{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1981|title=1981 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
198226–30 August{{flagicon|Germany}} Gütersloh{{flagicon|UK}} 230 Sqn{{flagicon|Switzerland}} Fliegerstaffel 1112{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1982|title=1982 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
198310–16 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Baden-Soellingen{{flagicon|Canada}} 439 TFS{{flagicon|Germany}} JaboSt 43112{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1983|title=1983 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
198413–20 August{{flagicon|Germany}} Leck{{flagicon|Germany}} AG 52{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1984|title=1984 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19851–8 July{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 30113{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1985|title=1985 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19868–16 June{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/12{{flagicon|USA}} 53 TFS18{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1986|title=1986 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
198723–30 June{{flagicon|Portugal}} Montijo{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 301{{flagicon|Germany}} Jagdbomberstaffel 43118{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1987|title=1987 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19885–12 July{{flagicon|Italy}} Cameri{{flagicon|Italy}} 21 Gruppo{{flagicon|UK}} 74 (F) Sqn14{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1988|title=1988 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199012–17 August{{flagicon|UK}} RAF Upper Heyford{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1990|title=1990 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199117–21 July{{flagicon|UK}} RAF FairfordRIAT{{flagicon|USA}} 53 TFS16{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1991|title=1991 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199214–22 May{{flagicon|Spain}} Albacete{{flagicon|Spain}} 142 Esc{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/1215{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1992|title=1992 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19938–13 August{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel{{flagicon|USA}} 79 TFS10{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1993|title=1993 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
19943–10 May{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/12{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel19{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1994|title=1994 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199621–29 May{{flagicon|Portugal}} Beja{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 301{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel15{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1996|title=1996 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199716–21 July{{flagicon|UK}} RAF FairfordRIAT{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel24{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1997|title=1997 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
199815–26 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Lechfeld{{flagicon|Germany}} JaboSt 321{{flagicon|Italy}} 21 Gruppo18{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm1998|title=1998 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200118–24 June{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/1218{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2001|title=2001 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200228 June – 9 July{{flagicon|Portugal}} Beja{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 301{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} 221 LtBVr19{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2002|title=2002 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20032–8 June{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/12{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2003|title=2003 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200430 August – 6 September{{flagicon|Germany}} Schleswig-Jagel{{flagicon|Germany}} TLG 51{{flagicon|Germany}} JaboSt 32114{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2004|title=2004 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20052–9 May{{flagicon|Turkey}} Balikesir{{flagicon|Turkey}} 192 Filo{{flagicon|UK}} 230 Sqn11{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2005|title=2005 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200625 September – 2 October{{flagicon|Spain}} Albacete{{flagicon|Spain}} 142 Esc{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/1213{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2006|title=2006 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200723 September – 1 October{{flagicon|Norway}} Ørland{{flagicon|Norway}} 338 Skv{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel18{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2007|title=2007 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200822 – 29 June{{flagicon|France}} Landivisiau{{flagicon|France}} Flottille 11F{{flagicon|Switzerland}} Fliegerstaffel 1119{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2008|title=2008 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
200914–25 September{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/1218{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2009|title=2009 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20104–15 October{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Volkel{{flagicon|Netherlands}} 313 Sqn.{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} 211th Sqn18{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2010|title=2010 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20119–20 May{{flagicon|France}} Cambrai{{flagicon|France}} EC 1/12{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 30119{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2011|title=2011 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
201229 May – 8 June{{flagicon|Norway}} Ørland{{flagicon|Norway}} 338 Skv{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel17{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2012|title=2012 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
201317–28 June{{flagicon|Norway}} Ørland{{flagicon|Norway}} 338 Skv{{flagicon|Germany}} TLG 5119{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2013|title=2013 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
201416–27 June{{flagicon|Germany}} Schleswig-Jagel{{flagicon|Germany}} TLG 51{{flagicon|Switzerland}} Fliegerstaffel 1116{{Cite web |title=2014 {{!}} NATO Tigers |url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2014 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.natotigers.org}}
20154–16 May{{flagicon|Turkey}} Konya{{flagicon|Turkey}} 192 Filo{{flagicon|Italy}} 21 Gruppo13{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2015|title=2015 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
201616–27 May{{flagicon|Spain}} Zaragoza{{flagicon|Spain}} Ala 15{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel22{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2016|title=2016 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20175–16 June{{flagicon|France}} Landivisiau{{flagicon|France}} Flottille 11F{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 Smaldeel20{{Cite web |title=2017 {{!}} NATO Tigers |url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2017 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=www.natotigers.org}}
201814–25 May{{flagicon|Poland}} Poznań{{flagicon|Poland}} 6 ELT{{flagicon|Netherlands}} 313 Sqn.22{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2018|title=2018 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
201913–24 May{{flagicon|France}} Mont-de-Marsan{{flagicon|France}} EC 3/30{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 30118{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2019|title=2019 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20212–14 May{{flagicon|Portugal}} Beja{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 301{{flagicon|Italy}} 12° Gruppo8{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2021|title=2021 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
"XT-Roar-dinary Tiger Event" 20217–14 September{{flagicon|Belgium}} Kleine Brogel{{flagicon|Belgium}} 31 SmaldeelEvent cancelled due to Covid-19{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/xtm2021|title=2021 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20229–20 May{{flagicon|Greece}} Araxos{{flagicon|Greece}} 335 Mira{{flagicon|France}} EC 3/3010{{Cite web|url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2022|title=2022 | NATO Tigers|website=www.natotigers.org}}
20232–13 October{{flagicon|Italy}} Gioia Del Colle{{flagicon|Italy}} 12° Gruppo{{flagicon|Germany}} TaktLwG 7418http://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meets/2023
2024

|3-13 June

|{{flagicon|Germany}} Schleswig-Jagel

|{{flagicon|Germany}} TLG 51

|{{flagicon|Poland}} 6 ELT

|14

|{{Cite web |title=2024 {{!}} NATO Tigers |url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2024 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.natotigers.org}}

2025

|21 September - 6 October

|{{flagicon|Portugal}} Beja

|{{flagicon|Portugal}} Esq 301

|TBD

|

|{{Cite web |title=2025 {{!}} NATO Tigers |url=https://www.natotigers.org/tiger-meet/ntm2025 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.natotigers.org}}

Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

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

{{refend}}

References

{{Reflist}}