Tigers meet Vikings

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At the beginning of June, the far north of Germany was the starting point for one of the largest air force exercises of the year. Tiger squadrons from NATO and PfP Nations (Partnership for Peace) met for the annual NATO Tiger Meet this time at the Tactical Air Wing 51 "Immelmann" in Jagel.

Jagel, 14.06.2024 - For the third time after 2004 and 2014, the Tactical Air Wing (TAW) 51 "Immelmann" hosted this high-value exercise. At the same time TAW 51 “I” also celebrated its 30th anniversary, after German Navy Wing 1 had handed over the Jagel air base and its Tornados to the Luftwaffe in 1994.

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Large training areas - The training area stretched over northern Germany from the western Baltic Sea to the northeastern part of the Dutch North Sea airspace. A total of over 70 aircraft took part in the exercise. Some jets also operated from their home bases, such as the 31 SQN with their F-16s from Kleine Brogel in Belgium, the 313 SQN of the Royal Netherlands Air Force with their brand-new F-35s from Volkel and the E-3A AWACS from Geilenkirchen. 19 squadrons from 13 nations with around 1500 exercise participants gathered at Jagel Air Base. The majority of the exercise participants were accommodated in a container city in the barracks at Kropp, just a few kilometers away from the airbase. These quarters had already been used as accommodation during the large-scale exercise AIR DEFENDER 2023. Hohn airfield, which is attached to TAW 51 "Immelmann", also played an important role in providing logistics for most of the guest squadrons. The supply of technical equipment and spare parts was primarily handled via Hohn airbase, located 15 kilometers south of Jagel Air Base.

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Mission successful - Despite the sometimes unpredictable weather, Colonel Jörg Schroeder, Wing Commander of TAW 51 "I“, at the end was highly satisfied with the outcome of the large-scale exercise. "Over nine exercise days generated more than 620 training missions with over 1100 flying hours. In some cases, more than 50 aircraft were in the air at the same time, conducting Composite Air Operations (COMAOs)," explains Colonel Schroeder. In his view, an initial evaluation also confirms the successful planning and execution of the missions with a clear upward leading learning curve during the course of the exercise. However, the successful integration of the 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft and the profitable participation of the German HERON TP were essential for the exercise. For him as wing Commander of TAW 51 "I" a story comes to an end after 20 years. 

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It all began for him with the Tigers in 2004 at Lechfeld. Back then, as a young Weapon System Officer (WSO) in the other squadron, he was perhaps a little envious of the activities of the "Lechfeld Tigers" in the 1st Flying Squadron. Years later, however, he became the last squadron commander of the "Lechfeld Tigers" and led the squadron through 3 NATO Tiger Meets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, before he transferred the Tiger Traditions to the 74 Wing. "I wouldn't have liked to miss this time for a second, as it showed me how strong the Tiger Spirit is across all nations. As Commander of the 51 Wing, I am proud of what all members of 51 Wing and supporting units have achieved in the preparation and execution of this major exercise.”

German Air Force Chief visits NATO Tiger Meet - This year, the Chief of Staff German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz attended the Distinguished Visitors Day at the NATO Tiger Meet. In addition to himself, a large number of high-ranking representatives from other NATO Armed Forces and PfP-Nations traveled to Jagel. On site, they were able to catch a detailed picture of the processes involved in the planning, execution and debriefing of COMAOs.

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A close-knit community - The Chief of Staff GAF was particularly impressed by the cohesion of the Tiger squadrons and stated: "This association of squadrons has existed for decades and has developed steadily. As one of the largest European NATO Air Force exercises, the NATO Tiger Meet has become extremely important in recent years. The German Air Force is proud that this high-value exercise could be conducted in Germany again this year," says the highest-ranking German Air Force Officer with respect to his impressions of the NTM 2024. In addition, the Chief of Staff GAF did not miss the opportunity to fly at least one training mission himself. He took off from Jagel in the tigered 74 Wing Typhoon to compete against a French Rafale C. "It's important that we know each other's capabilities well so that we can be strong together," said his French opponent, Major Vincent, from the Escadron de Chasse (EC) 03-30 "Lorraine" from Mont de Marsan after landing.

Lessons learned - As the coming commanding officer of the EC 03/30 “Lorraine”, Major Vincent can look back on over 2600 total flying hours, mainly on Rafale. He knows the NATO Tigers very well and has taken part in three NTMs himself. For three more NTMs he helped to prepare the exercise. What impresses him most about the NTM is the variety of different systems with very different capabilities. "The close ties between the different squadrons make it much easier to carry out complex air operations. An example of this is the COMAO with over 45 aircraft, which we were able to fly on the very first day of the exercise. In other exercises it usually takes longer," he says and adds: "We also benefited from good preparation by the host nation with transportation, accommodation and supplies. The What, When and Where were always clear and transparent. That made a lot of things easier, especially at the beginning of the exercise. What is important is the will to find new solutions and to preserve the Tiger Spirit."

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Tiger Spirit - This is also the view of Lieutenant Colonel S., commanding officer of the TAW 74 detachment at NTM 24 and squadron commander of the 2nd Flying Squadron at Neuburg. He still remembers his first encounter with the Tigers and the incomparable Tiger Spirit. When in 2013 the then squadron commander of 742 SQN suggested taking over the Tiger tradition from the leaving Lechfeld Tigers, it was the starting point that brought the Tiger Spirit to the whole 74 Wing. Since then, OTL S. has taken part in three NATO Tiger Meets and is firmly convinced of the high training value of this major exercise. "Tiger squadrons can be found all over Europe and you often meet familiar faces on operations. That creates strong bonds," he says and is particularly impressed by the complex scenarios and the integration of new systems such as the F-35 and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). "That's what the NTM was all about this year. We need to stay ahead and think and develop new ways, especially with the growth of the F-35 operators’ fleet in Europe and UAVs. This year's NATO Tiger Meet has undeniably proven to be one of the high value exercises in Europe with its growth in capabilities," emphasizes Lieutenant Colonel S. from TAW 74. In the future, it will be important to further develop the training levels and consistently integrate new systems and ideas.

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Participating for the first time - In addition to the Dutch F-35 Lightning II of 313 Squadron RNLAF, which flew at the NTM for the first time, there was another premiere. For the first time, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was involved in the air operations and scenarios at the NTM. That is how 2nd Flying Squadron of the TAW 51 "Immelmann" came into focus. Flight operations with the GHTP (German Heron Turbo Prop) began in Jagel just a few weeks earlier. "We are very happy that we managed to start flight operations in time for the NATO Tiger Meet," explains Major B., squadron commander of 512 SQN at TAW 51 "Immelmann". His Heron Squadron at Jagel Air Base had the opportunity to demonstrate the performance of its newly integrated UAV and its sensors. Based on the operational experience with Heron 1 since 2010 in Afghanistan and Mali, it was the first major exercise for the new system, of which the Luftwaffe has ordered five platforms so far. From the perspective of Major B., participation in the NATO Tiger Meet had great added value for his squadron: “We were able to learn a lot from the planning and mission execution processes. However, many procedures for joint operations with other weapon systems are partially uncharted territory - however we are only at the beginning in this context. We hope to be part of the 51 Tigers at the NATO Tiger Meet in Beja, Portugal next year." he explains optimistically in line with the motto "Once a Tiger, always a Tiger".

Ulrich Metternich
LtCol ret. Luftwaffe for NATO Tiger Association

NTM2024 Webpage