68 // JULY 2018 #364 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comNATO Tiger Meet 2018
oland – which is commemorating its
centenary of military aviation this year- provided the venue for the NATO
Tiger Meet (NTM) from May 14 to 25. Host unit
was the 6. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego (6.
ELT, 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron), part of the
- Baza Lotnictwa Taktycznego (31. BLT, 31st
Tactical Aviation Base) at Poznań-Krzesiny.
Fourteen full NTM members attended,
including the resident Siły Powietrzne
(Polish Air Force), bringing more than 70
aircraft and helicopters from 19 flying
units. Following the traditional welcoming
ceremonies, exercise activity began with
in-processing briefings and the air tasking
orders that provided each participating
squadron with its flying programme.
The first mission, which began on the
afternoon of May 14, was a combined
air operation (COMAO) that included the
majority of the squadrons. Thereafter,
two flying missions were carried out
each day, with the COMAO taking place
each morning. Meanwhile, afternoon
sorties were devoted to ‘shadow wave’
flights – these were less intensive and
involved more mixed flying training.Wartime scenarios
Missions comprised a set of scenarios, within a
familiar NATO training framework. First to launch
were the air defence assets, which flew to their
predetermined areas to establish a combat air
patrol (CAP). Next were the fighter-bombers,
which flew to their target areas before simulating
combat. To add realism, each scenario was
designed around a fictitious wartime situation.
In addition to fixed-wing assets, a variety
of helicopters were included for close air
support, personnel transportation, scouting,
and rescue. The helicopters launched
to land at predetermined sites within the
designated training areas. A simulated
humanitarian relief effort was also included.
All COMAO missions were monitored by
a NATO E-3A, which flew from Poznań-
Ławica Airport. Another AWACS participated,
flying from its home station at Geilenkirchen,
Germany. The ‘shadow wave’ missions
did not include AWACS involvement.P