NATO Tiger Meet 2011
A major milestone has been reached as the NATO Tiger Association (NTA) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the NATO Tiger Meet 2011. Escadron de Chasse (EC) 01.012 had the honor to host this year's edition of the world famous annual exercise among NATO tiger squadrons. From May 9th, Base Aérienne (BA) 103 Cambrais-Epinoy in the North of France welcomed over 60 aircraft from 15 countries for arguably the largest European flying exercise in 2011.
For the two week duration, close to 800 sorties were flown with mostly air-to-air combat missions in the morning and Combined Military Operation (COMAO) flights in the afternoon. Apart from the flying exercise, of course each unit also participated in the traditional Tiger Games and NTA anniversary festivities that were scheduled.
In history EC 01.012 was one of NTA founders and already host to the NTM for the 7th time. Unfortunately, this squadron is scheduled to disband and BA Cambrai will close early 2012. However, the 90-year old tiger tradition will live on joining EC 01.007 at BA 113 Saint-Dizier.
2011 Tiger Trophies
Silver Tiger Trophy:Esquadra 301Portugal
Best Flying Unit:Esquadra 301Portugal
Tiger Games winner:Fliegerstaffel 11Switzerland
Best Skit:Esquadra 301Portugal
Best looking Uniform:ECE 05.330France
Most fancy paintscheme:AG 51Germany
Sadly NTA members from Belgium, The Netherlands and Norway had to cancel their participation due to operational commitments in NATO operation Unified Protector to enforce the no-flying zone in the Libyan conflict. But the NTA welcomed probationary member 6. Eskadry Lotnictwa Taktyczego (ELT) from the Polish Air Force, operating the F-16C/D block 52+ and three-year absent member 335 Mira from the Hellenic Air Force, also flying F-16C/D block 52+ after transitioning from the A-7 Corsair II.
Next year, the NATO Tiger Meet 2012 will be held at Ørland Main Air Station (MAS), Norway. It will be hosted by 338 Skvadron from May 29 until June 8. Tiger, tiger!
Photo report
Phodocu would like to thank EC 01.012 and BA Cambrai for their support | Text + photos © Phodocu