The NATO Tiger Association or the Association of Tiger Squadrons was established in 1961. Promoted by French Defence minister Pierre Messmer, its role is to promote solidarity between NATO air forces. It is not, though, part of the formal NATO structure.
The USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) 79th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron) took the initiative and on 19 July 1961 they invited No. 74 Squadron RAF and EC (Fighter Squadron) 1/12 Provence of the French Armée de l'air to Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO.
As of May 2016, the squadrons included in the Association are 24 full members, 10 honorary members, and 7 disbanded members, all of which have a tiger as part of its squadron crest. As well as being opportunities for NATO air forces to share ideas and experiences, the ‘Tiger Meets’ are also public relations exercises for NATO. NATO aircraft are often brightly painted with tiger stripes.
The following 24 squadrons are full members of the association.
Austrian Air Force
1 Jet Training Squadron
Belgian Air Force
31 Smaldeel
Czech Air Force
211. taktická letka (211th Tactical Squadron)
221. vrtulníková letka (221st Helicopter Squadron)
French Air Force
Escadron de Chasse et d'Expérimentation 05/330
Escadron de Chasse 1/7 "Provence"
French Navy
Flottille 11F
German Air Force
Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann"
Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 "Bavarian Tigers"
Hellenic Air Force
335 Squadron "Tigers"
Hungarian Air Force
59/1 Squadron
Italian Air Force
XII Gruppo
21 Gruppo (387th and 388th Flights)
NATO (NATO Airborne Early Warning Force)
Squadron 1
Royal Netherlands Air Force
313 Squadron
Royal Norwegian Air Force
338 Skvadron
Polish Air Force
6 Squadron
Portuguese Air Force
Esquadra 301 "Jaguares"
Swiss Air Force
Fliegerstaffel 11
Spanish Air Force
142 Escuadrón
Ala 15
Turkish Air Force
192 Filo
Royal Air Force
230 Squadron
Royal Navy
814 Squadron
Royal Canadian Air Force
439 CSS
Indian Air Force
1 Squadron
Slovak Air Force
1 Lt (Bojova letka)
United States Air Force
37th Bomb Squadron
United States Air Force
79th Fighter Squadron
United States Air Force
120th Fighter Squadron
United States Air Force
391st Fighter Squadron
United States Air Force
393rd Bomb Squadron
United States Air Force Reserve
141st Air Refueling Squadron
United States Navy
VP-8
none
The following squadrons were formerly members of the NATO Tiger Association until their disbanding by their respective organization.
German Air Force
Aufklärungsgeschwader 52
Jagdbombergeschwader 32 (disbanded March 2013)
Jagdbomberstaffel 431
French Air Force
Escadron de Chasse 1/12
Royal Norwegian Air Force
336 Squadron
Royal Air Force
74 (F) Squadron
United States Air Force
53rd Fighter Squadron
The most publicly visible aspect of the NATO Tiger Association are the annual Tiger Meets, during which member squadrons gather for exercises, conferences, and public relations.
