From 4 – 15 October 2010, NATO Tiger squadrons gathered at Volkel AB, The Netherlands, for the 46th official NATO Tiger Meet. This years’ host was Dutch 313 Squadron. It was the very first Tiger Meet organized on Dutch soil.

Not only a social gathering
Although the Tiger Meets have a large social aspect as well, the main objective is to train many scenario’s between NATO partners. The Dutch organization used the Tiger Meet 2009 at Kleine Brogel as a blueprint for this years’ edition. The original planning was to fly 715 missions in exercise areas above the North Sea (in Dutch and German air space) and in special assigned areas over Holland. Over the eigth flying days, 644 of the original planned 715 missions were actually flown.

The participants
Not all the Tiger units were present at Volkel. There were a lot of cancellations, partly due to budget problems. There were no Greek, Spanish, British, Swiss, Portuguese and French Navy participants, and the Portuguese arrived with two F-16s for only the weekend festivities. But nevertheless, there was still enough to enjoy. More than 50 aircraft, from eight different countries gathered at Volkel AB. Four nations participated with F-16s, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Belgian Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Turkish Air Force. The German Air Force joined in with Tornados from AG51 and JBG32. The French Air Force brought Mirage 2000s from Cambrai and Mont-de-Marsan. The Czech delegation from 211 Tlt from Caslav Air Base with their JAS-39 Grippens received their full NTA member status after the first flying day. The Hungarian Air Force, that also participated with JAS-39s as a probationary member, hopes to receive that full member status in the upcoming years.