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NATO's Arctic Tigers stir
Tony Osborne reports on the coldest Tiger Meet ever, dubbed Arctic Tiger and held at Ørland, Norway.
After the warm climate of Albacete, Spain in 2006, NATO's Tigers were forced to don their thermals in preparation for the most northernly Tiger Meet yet.
Ørland Main Air Station, near Trondheim and its local Tiger squadron 338 Skv were the proud hosts of 2007's NATO Tiger Meet, dubbed 'Arctic Tiger' and held between 23 September and 1 October. It was the first time the event had been held in Scandinavia in its 48-year history and despite shrinking defence budgets and worldwide commitments, some 16 Tiger Squadrons from 11 NATO members deployed to the huge Norwegian airbase in a show of feline solidarity and to train in Norway's extensive flying training areas.
Some 75 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft operated from the base during the exercise carrying out a mixture of COMAOs (Combined Air Operations), to build up their skills working with rotary wing assets such as the Royal Navy Merlin HM1s of 814 NAS, the RAF Pumas of 230 Squadron and the Mi-24 Hinds of the Czech Air Force's 231 VrLt. Also joining the Tiger helicopters were six Bell 412s of the Royal Norwegian Air Forces 720 Skv.
Despite the number of aircraft and personnel deployed, Ørland was able to cope admirably. The base covers thousands of acres, and the aircraft could disappear in a maze of dispersals. Only a few weeks before the base had staged exercise 'Bold Avenger' which saw around 120 aircraft sat on its dispersals. But normally the base is just home to 338 Skv, and a Sea King detachment for Search and Rescue. Ørland is also one of a number of NATO Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Forward Operating Bases, indeed several E-3A Sentry's also took part in the exercise.
Travelling furthest for Arctic Tiger was 192 Filo of the Turkish Air Force from Balikesir who had decorated two of their single-seaters with an elaborate cartoon Tiger throwing snowballs. The French brought along the largest contingent, with four Mirage 2000Cs and a single 2000B from EC 01.012 'Cambresis', three Rafales from EC 05.330 'Cote d'Argent' and two spectacularly painted Super Etendards from 11F Flotille of the Aeronavale, although the Etendards didn't actually take part in the exercise instead arriving for the weekend festivities. Belgium's 31 Sqn brought eight F-16s while Spain brought eight aircraft including four F/A-18s from Ala 15 and four Mirage F1s from 142 Esc.
A special enthusiast's day was held on September 28, allowing photographers to get up close and personal with the Tiger jets. Around 100 photographers had made the trip, despite the fact that the weather in the weeks up to the Tiger Meet had been some of the worst for several years. In the end there wasn't cloud in the sky, and the clear air of Norway ensured crisp blue skies and most importantly of all, sharp pictures.
A small Open Day was held on 29 September. All the Tiger marked aircraft were made available in a small static display, and although a Tiger-schemed F-5 Tiger of Norway's 'Eye of the Tiger' unit had made the trip up for the event, it was frustratingly put inside the E-3A hangar. There was plenty else to enjoy.
A small flying program was put together, consisting of role demonstrations from a pair of Norwegian F-16AMs, flypasts from four Belgian AF F-16AMs, and solo demonstrations from the Czech AF Mi-24V and a Spanish EF-18A+ Hornet. One special formation was flown, comprising the Mi-24V with the two RNoAF F-16AMs, highlighting the disparity in cruising speeds of the two types.
Taking this year's Silver Tiger trophy was 31 'Tiger' Squadron of the Belgian Armed Forces, while taking the prize for the best painted aircraft was 11 Staffel of the Swiss Air Force. The 2008 NATO Tiger Meet is due to be hosted by 11 Flotille at Landivisiau, France from 22 to 30 June.
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