NATO Tiger Meet 2011
BA 103 Cambrai – France
9-20th May 2011
This year the NATO Tiger Association celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2011 Tiger Meet at Base Aerienne 103 Cambrai in Northern France. Escadron de Chasse 01.012 ‘Cambresis’ were this years hosts, having hosted the Tiger Meet no less than seven times before. This will be the squadrons last meet before the squadron is disbanded and the base closed in early 2012.
Despite the ongoing NATO operations in Libya, and budgets cuts across NATO forces, the Tiger Meet still managed to attract no less than 60 aircraft from 15 nations. New members for this year were the Polish Air Force, with their F-16C/D (Block 52+), and returning after a three year absence were the Greek Air Force also with their F-16C/D’s after transition from the A-7 Corsair II.
Participating Squadrons
EC 01.012 3 Mirage 2000 Cambrai – France
EC 05.330 3 Mirage 2000 Mont De Marsan – France
AG-51 6 Tornado Schleswig – Germany
JBG-32 4 Tornado Lechfeld – Germany
335 MV 5 F-16 Araxos – Greece
192 Filo 3 F-16 Balikesir – Turkey
Esq 301 6 F-16 Monte Real – Portugal
152 Esc 3 EF-18 Zaragoza – Spain
11 Staffel 5 F/A-18 Meiringen – Switzerland
211 Sqn 4 Gripen Caslav – Czech Republic
221 Sqn 2 Mil-24 Hind Namest – Czech Republic
21 Gruppo 2 AB-121 Grazzanise – Itlay
3 Staffel 3 Saab 105 Linz – Austria
1 Sqn 2 Mig-29 Silac – Slovakia
814 NAS 1 Merlin Culdrose – UK
31 Sqn 2 F-16 Kleine Brogel – Belgium
142 Esc 2 Mirage F.1 Albacete – Spain
As always, the organisation on the enthusiast day was fantastic. Entry to the base was hassle free, and included in your entry fee was a smart lanyard with you name on and a rather nice 50 year Anniversary patch. Many of the squadrons also bought various items to sell, including a smart little tiger t-shirt from the Belgian’s for my daughter!
A typical day begins with a mass launch of all the participating aircraft. After around two hours the recoveries begin ready for lunch. During lunch a Polish Air Force C-130 arrived with a replacement engine for one of the F-16s, and later in the day a Casa 295 of the Spanish Air Force also arrived. After lunch the fast jets take to the air again for another round of war games.
The Tiger Meet never fails to deliver, and this year was on exception. Fortunately I only live an hour’s drive from the coast across to Europe, and after a quick ride under the sea, Cambrai was only a 90 mile drive away.
NTM 2012 will be hosted by Esquadra 301 at the Monte Real Air Base, Portugal from the 28-5 to the 8-6-2012, see you there!!
88/103-KV Dassault Mirage 2000C EC 01.012 Cambrai - France
80/103-LI Dassault Mirage 2000 C EC 01.012 Cambrai - France
42/102-EY Dassault Mirage 2000-5F GC 01.002 Dijon - France
44/118-EQ Dassault Mirage 2000-5F ECE 05.330 Mont De Marsan - France
R51/61-MW Aerospatiale C-160R ET 03.061 Orleans - France
2021/BHN Eurocopter EC.655 Tigre 5 RHC Pau - France
2013/BHC Eurocopter EC.655 Tigre 5 RHC Pau - France
FA-87 General Dynamics F-16AM 31sm Kleine Brogel - Belgium
C14.41/14-22 Dassault Mirage F1M Ala 14 Albacete - Spain
C14.56/14-31 Dassault Mirage F1M Ala 14 Albacete - Spain
C15.40/15-27 McDonnell Douglas EF-18A+ Ala15 Zaragoza - Spain
C15.41/15-28 McDonnell Douglas EF-18A+ Ala15 Zaragoza - Spain
C15.27/15-14 McDonnell Douglas EF-18A+ Ala15 Zaragoza - Spain
T21.01/35-39 Casa 295M Ala 35 Getafe - Spain
9819 Saab JAS-39D Gripen 211TL/21zTL Caslav - Czech Republic
9240 Saab JAS-39D Gripen 211TL/21zTL Caslav - Czech Republic
9235 Saab JAS-39D Gripen 211TL/21zTL Caslav - Czech Republic
9245 Saab JAS-39D Gripen 211TL/21zTL Caslav - Czech Republic
3361 Mil Mi-35 221 lbvr Namest - Czech Republic
4058 General Dynamic F-16C 6 ELT Powdiz - Poland
4080 General Dynamic F-16D 6 ELT Powdiz - Poland
4060 General Dynamic F-16C 6 ELT Powdiz - Poland
4055 General Dynamic F-16C 6 ELT Powdiz - Poland
4051 General Dynamic F-16C 6 ELT Powdiz - Poland
003 General Dynamics F-16C 335 Mira Araxos - Greece
021 General Dynamics F-16D 335 Mira Araxos - Greece
J-5236 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Fliegerstaffel 11 Meiringen - Switzerland
J-5017 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Fliegerstaffel 11 Meiringen - Switzerland
J-5011 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Fliegerstaffel 11 Meiringen - Switzerland
J-5023 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Fliegerstaffel 11 Meiringen - Switzerland
15106 General Dynamics F-16A Esq 201 Monte Real - Portugal
15123 General Dynamics F-16AM Esq 201 Monte Real - Portugal
15102 General Dynamics F-16AM Esq 201 Monte Real - Portugal
15109 General Dynamics F-16A Esq 201 Monte Real - Portugal
93-0696 General Dynamics F-16D Filo 9 Balikesir - Turkey
93-0682 General Dynamics F-16C Filo 9 Balikesir - Turkey
46+33 BAe/Panavia Tornado ECR JBG.32 Lechfeld - Germany
45+51 BAe/Panavia Tornado IDS AG.51 Schleswig - Germany
30+63 BAe Typhoon JG.74 Neuberg - Germany
D-CGFE Learjet 36A GFD - Germany
1126/F Red Saab 105OE Dusentrainerstaffel - Austria
1109/I Yellow Saab 105OE Dusentrainerstaffel - Austria
Marcus 