NATO Tiger Meet 2021: Clawing Back to the Skies

After a year-long enforced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) returned in force in 2021, in an edition marked by resilience, tactical innovation, and a demonstration of interoperability between elite NATO and partner nation squadrons. Between May 2 and 14 at Air Base No. 11 in Beja, Portugal, the exercise brought together around 550 military personnel, 56 aircraft, and eight operational squadrons in one of the largest and most complex air exercises held in Europe that year.

Under the motto “Hard to be Humble,” the event was organized by the Portuguese Air Force's 301 Squadron - “Jaguares,” one of the oldest members of the Tiger community.

THE NATURE OF TIGER MEETS: BEYOND FELINE CAMOUFLAGE

Created in 1961 with the aim of fostering comradeship, sharing tactical knowledge, and strengthening ties between squadrons with Tigers in their emblems, the NATO Tiger Meet has evolved into much more than a simple symbolic gathering. Over the decades, it has become one of the most prestigious and technically demanding aerial warfare exercises in Europe, even though it is not officially part of NATO's structure.

The NTM is coordinated by the NATO Tiger Association (NTA), composed of permanent, associate, and honorary members. The event retains a strong symbolic component, from custom aircraft paint schemes to social events, but it is eminently operational, with highly realistic daily missions requiring in-depth planning, precise execution, and a high degree of interoperability.

One of the F16 Fighting Falcons from 335 Mira, in this case, the one featuring the special Tiger Meet paint scheme.

"Belly of the Beast"

TACTICAL OBJECTIVES

This exercise focused on COMAO (Composite Air Operations) - missions composed of multiple aircraft of different types, nationalities, and functions, operating under a common plan. The main objectives were:

●   To train multinational integration in complex and contested air environments;

●   Simulate air-to-air and air-to-ground operations in a high-intensity conflict context;

●   Carry out missions with realistic scenarios;

●   Exercise tactical air command and control (TAC C2) in real time;

●   Assess joint capabilities and interoperability between different platforms and doctrines.

The area of operations covered southern Portugal, including reserved airspace, maritime areas, and firing ranges, with support from the Air Force Reporting and Control Center (Centro de Relato e Controlo - CRC).

Eurofighter Typhoon, from the 12° Gruppo, with their NTM paint scheme

One of the F/A-18 from the Swiss Fliegerstaffel 11

301 SQUADRON “JAGUARES”: THE FELINE PRIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE AIR FORCE

Based at Air Base No. 5 in Monte Real, 301 Squadron - “Jaguares” is a highly prestigious fighter unit of the Portuguese Air Force and a full member of the NATO Tiger Association since 1978. With an impressive operational history, 301 Squadron hosted the NATO Tiger Meet 2021, having been awarded the “Silver Tiger” trophy at the last edition of the NTM, which took place in Mont-de-Marsan, France, in 2019.

History and Mission

The history of 301 Squadron “Jaguares” began in January 1969, when it began operations at AB5 Nacala, in Mozambique, with the original designation of 502 Squadron and equipped with Fiat G-91. In this context, the “Jaguares” carried out combat missions such as anti-guerrilla warfare, interdiction, and independent attack. They established three permanent deployments in Porto Amélia, Mueda AM51, and Nampula (3rd Air Region Command), as well as other non-permanent deployments in Nova Freixo AB6, Vila Cabral AM61, and Beira BA10.

After the end of the colonial war, and with the restructuring of the Portuguese Air Force, the "Jaguares" began operating from Air Base No. 6 in Montijo, under the new designation of 62 Squadron. In 1978, with the reorganization of the air unit numbering system, they received their current designation of 301 Squadron.

During this period, they continued to operate the Fiat G-91 until 1993, participating in numerous exercises, both national and international. They carried out Close Air Support, Battlefield Interdiction, and Tactical Air Reconnaissance missions. Also noteworthy is the organization, for the first time on Portuguese territory, of the 1987 edition of the NATO Tiger Meet.

In 1994, 301 Squadron was transferred to Air Base No. 11 in Beja and equipped with Alpha-Jet, continuing to perform the same type of missions. They participated again in the NATO Tiger Meet in 1996 and 2002, operating the Alpha-Jet until 2004. The following year, in 2005, they began a new phase when they received the F-16 MLU (Mid-Life Update) fighter, operating from Air Base No. 5 in Monte Real, where they remain today, maintaining their motto: “De nada a forte gente se temia” (“Nothing to fear from strong people”).

It is important to note that the history of the "Jaguares" is deeply linked to the heritage of other squadrons that also operated the Fiat G-91 in former overseas theaters of operation. Among these, the 121 Squadron “Tigres” stands out, created in 1966 at Air Base 12 in Bissalanca, Guinea, being the first unit to operate the Fiat G-91. The “Tigres” carried out various types of missions like reconnaissance, bombing, fire support, cooperation with friendly forces, and protection of land and river convoys. Until 1974, the ‘Tigres’ demonstrated their prowess in the complex combat missions they carried out, while facing growing threats such as SA-7 “Strella” anti-aircraft missiles. They were later reactivated on January 13, 1981, at Air Base No. 4 in Lajes as the 303 Squadron, to reinforce the Azores Air Command with air assets for defense and maritime patrol of the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone.

Another unit whose tradition the “Jaguares” also inherited was the 702 Squadron ‘Escorpiões’, created in 1971 at AB7 Tete Chingosi, Mozambique. Like the “Jaguares,” the “Escorpiões” carried out similar combat missions and operated in the same deployments. They were even the first pilots to successfully confront the threat of SA-7 missiles.

The 301 Squadron “Jaguares” is not only one of the most emblematic units of the Portuguese Air Force, but also the legitimate heir to the traditions and fighting spirit of the "Tigres" and "Escorpiões", perpetuating the history of national combat aviation.

Detail of the host F16 paintwork beneath the canopy

Detail of the Drop Tank of the F16 of the 301 Squadron

The full painting scheme of the F-16 from the host squadron, the 301 Squadron "Jaguares"

MULTINATIONAL PARTICIPATION: UNITY IN DIVERSITY

NATO Tiger Meet 2021 saw reduced participation from squadrons from eight countries, including NATO members and partner nations:

•      301 Squadron – “Jaguares” (Portuguese Air Force) – F-16A/B MLU Fighting Falcon

•      12° Gruppo (351st Tiger - 36° Stormo, Aeronautica Militare - Italy) - Eurofighter Typhoon

•      21º Gruppo (Aeronautica Militare - Italy) - HH.212 and HH.101 Caesar

•      335 Mira (Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia - Greece) - F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

•      142 Escuadrón (Ala 14, Ejército del Aire - Spain) - Eurofighter Typhoon

•      6 Eskadra Lotnicza (Siły Powietrzne - Poland) - F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

•      Fliegerstaffel 11 (Schweizer Luftwaffe - Switzerland) - F/A-18C/D Hornet

•      313 Squadron (Koninklijke Luchtmacht - Netherlands) - F-16A/B MLU Fighting Falcon

Unfortunately, due to several cases of COVID-19 infections, 313 Squadron was forced to abandon the exercise.

In addition to these NTA squadrons, we also had the participation of some external squadrons and other forces such as:

•      552 Squadron – “Zangões” (Portuguese Air Force) - AW-119 Koala

•      601 Squadron – “Lobos” (Portuguese Air Force) - P-3C Orion

•      751 Squadron – “Pumas” (Portuguese Air Force) - EH-101 Merlin

•      502 Squadron – “Elefantes” (Portuguese Air Force) - Casa C-295

•      AVDef - Falcon DA-20

•      NATO Allied Air Command - Cyber SME (Subject Matter Experts)

•      US Space Force - Space SME (Subject Matter Experts)

•      CAE - Groupleader Mission Support

•      TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) - Portugal, Denmark, and the Netherlands

•      Land Forces (Portuguese Army) - Commandos, Special Operations CTOE, Paratroopers

•      EDCA 0/36 “Berry” (AWACS – French Armée de l'Air) - Boeing E-3F

•      Flying Squadron 1 (NATO AWACS) - Boeing E-3A

•      CTF-67 (US Navy) - P-8A Poseidon

•      Portuguese Navy - Various naval assets

Fliegerstaffel 11 (Schweizer Luftwaffe - Switzerland) - F/A-18C/D Hornet

21º Gruppo (36° Stormo, Aeronautica Militare - Italy) - HH.212 and HH.101 Caesar

6 Eskadra Lotnicza (Siły Powietrzne - Poland) - F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

AVDef - Falcon DA-20

313 Squadron (Koninklijke Luchtmacht - Netherlands) - F-16A/B MLU Fighting Falcon

601 Squadron – “Lobos” (Portuguese Air Force) - P-3C Orion

552 Squadron – “Zangões” (Portuguese Air Force) - AW-119 Koala

TACTICAL AND DOCTRINAL FRAMEWORK

NTM21 focused on conducting combined tactical air operations (COMAO - Composite Air Operations), replicating realistic war scenarios in a multi-domain environment (air, land, and sea). These operations aimed to train and strengthen interoperability between NATO forces and partner countries, both at the technical and human levels, while also promoting the so-called “Tiger spirit,” which reinforces the bonds of comradeship between the participating squadrons.

The COMAO operations, carried out mainly in the morning, included various types of coordinated missions, including:

•      Air defense,

•      Attacks on ground and maritime targets,

•      Suppression of enemy air defenses,

•      Escorts and penetration operations in hostile airspace.

During the afternoon and evening, operations focused on smaller-scale missions, such as:

•      CAS (Close Air Support) in coordination with ground forces,

•      Air interception missions,

•      Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations with helicopters,

•      Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) and Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM).

Night operations were also an essential component of the exercise, with the aim of training complex missions in low-visibility environments.

In addition to the tactical aspect, NTM21 was also a forum for developing joint skills, with familiarization flights between pilots of different nationalities and the sharing of lessons learned. These activities reinforced NATO's common operational standards while fostering a spirit of cooperation and solidarity among the squadrons.

Polish Air Force F-16C Block 52+ with NTM tail

Two-seater F16 from the 335 Mira

AIR SAFETY AND THE PANDEMIC: AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE

The 2021 edition took place under strict health and safety measures due to COVID-19. All participants were subject to regular testing, operational bubbles, and limited social events. Even so, the Portuguese Air Force's coordination ensured a safe and effective exercise without compromising tactical objectives.

The presence of international observers and media coverage was limited, but operational quality was not affected—on the contrary, the technical and functional nature of the exercise was reinforced.

Portuguese F16 MLU with squadrons 50 anniversary tail

THE TIGER RISES AGAIN: LEGACY AND THE FUTURE

NATO Tiger Meet 2021 proved that, even in an adverse global scenario, the cohesion, professionalism, and adaptability of the allied air forces remain unshakeable. The return of tactical roar to Europe was not only a sign of operational normality but also a reinforcement of collective readiness.

For the pilots, controllers, and technical teams involved, NTM 2021 was more than an exercise—it was an affirmation of aerial excellence. And for the 301 Squadron, an exemplary host, it was another milestone in its legacy as one of the pillars of the Tiger community.

Exhaust nozzles covers with a tiger scheme of a Swiss Air Force F/A-18

CONCLUSION: THE SPIRIT OF THE TIGER LIVES ON

The NATO Tiger Meet is more than just a gathering of squadrons with feline emblems. It is a concrete affirmation of NATO's ability to train jointly, effectively, and in a technologically advanced manner. In 2021, Beja was the stage where the spirit of the Tiger showed, once again, that it is still alive, fierce, and ready for the challenges of the future of aviation.

Face to face with the Italian Typhoon

One of the Typhoon from the Italian 12° Gruppo

The detail of the Greek flag on a F-16

The "Claws" of a HH.212 from the Italian 21º Gruppo

The "Claws" of a HH.101 Caesar from the Italian 21º Gruppo

F16 Fighting Falcons from 335 Mira

The Polish F16 lineup