Nato Tiger Meet 2011
Words and photography by Vincent Loedeman, Video by Jan Loedeman
From May 9th - 20th, only 7 months after the NTM2010, the Tigers roarrr could be heard again in the skies of North-West Europe during the 50th celebration of the NATO Tiger Meet. Escadron de Chasse 01.012 at Base aérienne 103 Cambrai was host to this large scale exercise for the very last time as it will close next year.
Some 60 fixed and rotary wing aircraft were participating in this year's NATO Tiger Meet. Because of the NATO operation Unified Protector Belgium, The Netherlands and Norway had to cancel their participation. This year's edition marked the first time that the Polish Air force send 6 Elt with their Block 52 F-16's to Cambrai to participate in the NTM. The Greece Air Force also send there brand new F-16's from 335MV to Cambrai and after this NTM they are now a full member of the NATO Tiger Association.
In this year's exercise, around 800 missions were flown. In the morning most of the missions were air to air combat missions, and in de afternoon a big comao was flown with more then 50 aircraft.
After two weeks of intense operations, flying 2 missions a day, the balance was made up. In the tradition of the NTM, several awards were presented to the participating units. The winners of this years edition are:
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SILVER TIGER 2011: Esquadra 301 - Portugal
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BEST FLYING: Esquadra 301 - Portugal
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BEST PAINTED JET: Aufklarunggeschwader 51 - Germany
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BEST TIGER SKIT: Esquadra 301 - Portugal
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TIGER GAMES: Fliegerstaffel 11 - Switserland
In 2012, Esquadra 301 at Monte Real in Portugal will host the NTM2012, from May 28th until June 6th.
For more information about the history of the NTM, see NTM2009.
For more information about the missions flown, see NTM2010.
We want to thank all personell from Escadron de Chasse 01.012 for there great help and efforts to visit the NATO Tiger Meet 2011
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