Nato Tigermeets
The NATO Tiger Meet is a yearly event where all NATO’s finest squadrons using a tiger as emblem in their squadrons crest are invited. It is first and foremost a large scale flying exercise, were everybody strives to be at the top of their professional level. The Tiger Meet also encourages NATO members to exchange experience, both for the flying operations and for the technical side. Another goal is to create team spirit and improve camaraderie between the Tigers.
At the end of this exercise the Silver Tiger Trophy is awarded to the squadron with the best overall Tiger Spirit.
Under the impulse of the 74th and the 79th squadron the first Tiger Meet was organized in 1961, at RAF Woodbridge. On this very first meeting the French 1/12 squadron from Cambrai was also invited, with their Super Mystère B2.
Because this meeting was a big success, the following year another meeting was organized, once again at Woodbridge, but this time 8 Tiger Squadrons were present. Promptly the traditions and customs were written down, and those are still valid 50 years later.
In August 1963 the Belgian Tigers organized the NATO Tiger Meet for the first time at Kleine Brogel. In total the 31 Tigers were already host for the Tiger Meet for 7 times, which is a record. 2009 was the last time 31 organized the NTM. The edition was a big success with 2 weeks of operations, at which in total 18 squadrons participated actively. Also the 7 victories for the Silver Tiger is a record. Next year in Norway the 31 Tigers will hunt for their 8th Sliver Tiger…