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The second half of September 2025 saw 20 Tiger Squadrons from NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) nations gathering at Air Base 11 just a few miles northwest of the city of Beja in the Alentejo region. The annual high-value exercise welcomed nearly a total of 80 aircraft in the southeast of Portugal and was one of the largest air force exercises of the year in Europe. For famous Esquadra 301 "Jaguares" from the Portuguese Air Force (PRTAF) it was the 5th NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) they hosted after 1987, 1996, 2002 and 2021.

Beja, 03.10.2025 - Only 3 years after the last NTM in Portugal, Air Base 11 was again the starting point of various training missions and Composite Air Operations (COMAOs). The scenarios not only consisted of known operational roles and procedures, but also included tasking in new operational areas like cyber and space operations. 

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Coronel Joel Pais, Chief of Staff of the Air Command of the Portuguese Air Force (PRTAF) points out some important aspects about large-scale exercises. As head of the NTM exercise staff of the PRTAF on site in Beja, he was responsible for the smooth execution of the two-week high-value exercise. For him it was clear that the preparation of such a big exercise does not only consist of the planning of scenarios for training missions for aircraft and helicopters, but also in the provision of airspace, logistics and personnel in place: "The biggest challenge was to provide all kinds of logistics for the exercise participants. This affected not only fuel and fuel trucks for the aircraft, but also the supply of food and accommodation for approximately 1700 exercise participants, that were based at Beja AB for at least two weeks. To organize all this, we had to acquire additional personnel from our armed forces." At the end of NTM Coronel Joel Pais was very satisfied with the execution of the exercise: "Everything went smoothly as far as the exercise was concerned. The experience we had from the last NTM at Beja in 2021 helped us a lot."

Full house – In addition to the approximately 60 jets, four turboprops and 16 helicopters at Beja, there were another six aircraft operating from other bases. The more than 80 aircraft involved came from 24 different squadrons and 2 civilian companies out of 12 NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries. In daily two periods more than 800 flight missions generated around 1500 flying hours. A battle rhythm plan organized the daily schedule in two shifts for aircrews and technicians, starting at 7 in the morning and ending just prior to 8 in the evenings. A major part of fast jet missions was executed over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Portuguese coastline. Helicopter missions with Special Operations, Combat Search and Rescue Missions (CSAR) and Personal Recovery (PR) took place over land in reserved training areas.

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High Value Training - For many young pilots in Tiger Squadrons the NTM is the first experience with complex air scenarios. For Captain F. from 511 SQN GAF it started in 2023 shortly after he had joined the squadron. During his initial tactical training after the conversion to Tornado he gained his initial experiences with NATO Tigers. “It was my first detachment ever and I did not know what to expect from NTM. I was amazed by the cohesion of all the participants from different nations. One mission that is still in my mind is one of the first flights I had on an NTM. It was a “BFM Ride” (Basic fighter maneuvers) versus a Swiss F/A-18 HORNET. First of all, it was a special experience to fly against another type of fighter aircraft and secondly, after reaching Bingo Fuel, it was the recovery back to base at the wing of the HORNET in a mixed formation.” For Captain F. the NTM is an excellent opportunity to train in an international environment that back home is not always possible. He hopes to attend a few more NTMs with 511 SQN until the phase out of the Tornados will end an era.      

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Sea Lynx joining - In addition to the Tactical Air Wing 51 "Immelmann" from Jagel two Mk88A Sea Lynx helicopters of the German Navy were also involved in the exercise. In 2024 the 3rd Squadron of the Naval Air Wing 5 from Nordholz had already taken part in the NATO Tiger Meet at Schleswig for the first time ever. This lit the fire among aircrews and technicians and brought them to Portugal. For Commander Z., squadron commander of the 3rd Squadron of Naval Air Wing 5 and detachment commander at Beja, it is important to increase the understanding of the operational procedures of Air Force and Army units in addition to operational procedures of other naval forces: "For the future, we are focusing on our capability development and the interoperability in an international network. Looking at the upcoming conversion to the NH-90 MRFH Sea Tiger, it is important for us to expand our understanding of planning for other roles over land in addition to maritime operations. So far, the NATO Tiger Meet has provided us with excellent training opportunities, especially with regard to deployment capability and the exchange of experience with other nations. We are very pleased that during NTM 25 we have already achieved the status of "Probationary Membership" in the NATO Tiger Association (NTA). And this after only the second participation in a NATO Tiger Meet. We will keep the spirit up.”

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Interoperability – This term is an important keyword for efficient and successful operations between forces of different countries. LtCol “Angeloti” from 335 MIRA / Hellenic Air Force (HAF) at Araxos emphasizes this in his comments on the NATO Tiger Meet: “Regarding NTM the main focus of the HAF and my squadron is to enhance interoperability with allied forces (air, land, sea and space). It is necessary to strengthen the cooperation within the NATO Tigers framework in order to exchange valuable tactical knowledge during complex multinational missions. For my squadron it is also an excellent opportunity to train in realistic scenarios, improve operational readiness away from our homebase and to foster the tiger spirit by building strong bonds with fellow tigers.” LtCol “Angeloti” knows what he is talking about. He first learned about the NTA in 2006, when he joined the 335 MIRA, which at that time was still flying the A-7 Corsair. Now, as SQN Ops Officer of 335 MIRA and Detachment Commander at Beja, he celebrates his 6th NTM, and it will not be his last one. With his Tiger Meet experience he is looking forward to his 7th NTM in 2026, when 335 MIRA will host the NTM the second time after 2022. For the squadron and him it will be both, an honor and a challenge to organize NTM 2026 at Araxos. “It will be important to thoroughly plan and execute complex multinational missions with many different aircraft types. We have to ensure flight safety together with a high sortie rate and guarantee all necessary logistical support for hundreds of participants” he explains and adds: “What makes the NTM so special is that it is not only a demanding multinational exercise, but also a unique tradition that brings together Tiger Squadrons from across NATO. It combines realistic training, complex missions with a strong sense of camaraderie, heritage and the so called “Tiger Spirit”. It is a combination of high-level training and a unique sense of belonging that really makes a lasting impression.”

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Silver Tiger – This time the probably the most appreciated award in the circle of Tiger squadrons went to Fliegerstaffel 11 of the Swiss Air Force from Meiringen in the middle of the Alps. For the fourth time after 1982, 2008 and 2014, the Swiss were able to hold this trophy in their hands. Squadron Commander Major "Heavy" from Fliegerstaffel 11 was surprised when the winner of the Silver Tiger was announced on the last evening: "We didn't expect this. We are all very pleased about this award. For us, the NTM has been an integral part of the training of our pilots and technicians for years as part of the PfP program. In the restricted and limited air space over Switzerland we cannot fly complex missions like on the NTM. During a multinational exercise we can experience different aircraft types with different capabilities. We can profit a lot from this in many ways, not to forget the friendship and Tiger Spirit between many different squadrons", finishes the squadron CO.  With their small team of pilots, ops personnel and technicians Staffel 11 demonstrated high motivation and outstanding performance so that the Silver Tiger Award went to the fellow Tigers from Switzerland.  

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More Awards - The "Immelmann Panthers" of the TaktLwG 51"I" from Jagel were also very happy about receiving the awards "Best Operational Squadron" and "Special Fixed Wing Award". With their six Tornados, the aircrews and the technicians, they were able to show that they can still do excellent work with an older weapon system that is truly not yet outdated with its sensors and network. The “SPECIAL ROTARY WING AWARD” went to French Army´s felines from EHRA 3-3 and the 301 SQN “Jaguares” well deserved the award “BEST PAINTED AIRCRAFT” for their TIGER VIPER. The Italians from 12 °Gruppo proved their outstanding humor in getting the “BEST SKIT AWARD” and 6 ELT was able to score with “BEST TIGER DRESS” not to forget the Austrians from 2 SQN that won the “TIGER GAMES”. Finally, the “SPECIAL TIGER SPIRIT AWARD” went to the 6 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego (ELT) from Poznań in Poland, which had a very difficult time after the fatal accident of their display pilot Major Maciej "Slab" Krakowian at the end of August, just weeks before NTM. The squadron still deployed to Beja and even brought the special colored Display F-16 to Beja that carried a special marking on the fuselage in honor for “Slab”.

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Outlook - After the Tiger Meet is before the Tiger Meet, so is the saying, because already in May 2026 the Tiger bunch will meet again in Greece at Araxos Air Base, the home of 335 MIRA. Looking forward to meet a lot of friends from all over again.

Tiger Tiger Tiger
Uli „Fürst“ Metternich 
LtCol. ret. GAF
Book Editor / NTA Staff