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.
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 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. Austrian Air Force 1 Jet Training Squadron 2. Squadron/Fighter Wing Belgian Air Force 31 Smaldeel Czech Air Force 211. taktická letka (211th Tactical Squadron) 221. vrtulníková letka (221st Helicopter Squadron) French Air Force Escadron de Chasse et d'Expérimentation 1/30 Cote d'Argent Escadron de Chasse 3/30 Lorraine French Navy Flottille 11F German Air Force Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann" Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 "Bavarian Tigers" Hellenic Air Force 335 Squadron "Tigers" Hungarian Air Force 59/1 Squadron Italian Air Force XII Gruppo 21 Gruppo (387th and 388th Flights) (NATO Airborne Early Warning Force) Squadron 1 Royal Netherlands Air Force 313 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force 338 Skvadron Polish Air Force 6 Squadron Portuguese Air Force Esquadra 301 "Jaguares" Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11 Spanish Air Force 142 Escuadrón Ala 15 Turkish Air Force 192 Filo Royal Air Force 230 Squadron Royal Navy 814 Naval Air Squadron
Honorary members
Royal Canadian Air Force
439 CSS
Indian Air Force
1 Squadron
Slovak Air Force
1 Lt (Bojova letka) United States Air Force 37th Bomb Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron 120th Fighter Squadron 391st Fighter Squadron 393rd Bomb Squadron United States Air National Guard 141st Air Refueling Squadron United States Navy VP-8
Probationary members
none
Former members
The following squadrons were formerly members of the NATO Tiger Association until their disbanding by their respective organization. German Air Force Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 Jagdbombergeschwader 32 (disbanded March 2013) Jagdbomberstaffel 431 French Air Force Escadron de Chasse 1/12 Escadron de Chasse 1/7 "Provence" Royal Norwegian Air Force 336 Squadron Royal Air Force 74 (F) Squadron United States Air Force 53rd Fighter Squadron
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.
Bibliography
Heuvel, Coen van den & Tuyn, Jac van. Tiger Meet, the 25th Anniversary 'NATO' Tiger Meet, Osprey, 1986, 978-0-8504-5703-2.