NATO's annual Tiger Meet for 2010 (NTM 2010) was held for the first time in
the Netherlands. Host unit was the KLu's 313 sq which despite having been a
member for over 20 years had never organised the meet before. Notwithstanding
313 sq's very intermittent participation in Tiger Meets during the first
decade of the 21st century, the unit hosted what must be termed a
most interesting collection of aircraft. Of course, Tiger Meets are
already half a century renowned for the habit of applying tiger markings to
participating aircraft. Over the years, the art evolved from simple yellow
and black stripes to elaborate airbrush paintings. The collection below
lists some styles. Of special note are the Czech SAAB Gripen with its
skeleton of a sabre toothed tiger and the German Tornado with its
"digital" scheme. The Belgian and Norwegian F-16's had already
been seen during various meets, the Norwegian F-16B's scheme dating back to
2007's Tiger Meet at Orland.
Between 5 and 14 October 2010, various mission profiles were exercised.
These included Air Interdiction assisted by Special Forces on the ground,
CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue), CASEVAC (casualty evacuation), Quick
Reaction Force and Reconnaisance and attack on High Value Targets. A wide
variety of missions befitting the wide variety of aircraft types. Especially
CASEVAC and CSAR was the domain of the Italian AB.212AM escorted by the
Czech Mi.35. These two helicopters would have been direct opponents a mere
25 years previously, a sign of the times that have drastically changed. Half
a century ago, Tiger Meets would have been supported by at least two USAF
units and a Canadian one. Since some years, it is purely a European affair
as can be seen below. A welcome newcomer were the Austrians, who only flew
during the mornings each day.
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