AirForces Monthly – July 2018

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #364 JULY 2018 // 69

The primary objective of the NTM was to
harmonise operating procedures and training
in use with various nations from across
Europe. Each set of missions was planned and
briefed by a different air arm to
provide maximum training
benefit to all participants.
Following mission
planning, there was a mass
briefing and then each squadron
conducted its own individual brief.
The proximity of NTM 2018 operations to
the heavily fortified exclave of Kaliningrad (see
Knights of Chkalovsk, July 2017, p60-66) made it
possible for the Russian intelligence community
to monitor flight activities. As Tiger Meet
sorties were performed within a few minutes’
flying time from Russian airspace, unspecified
NATO airborne intelligence and surveillance
assets also monitored the area covertly.
Several airspace areas were reserved for flight

BIGBIGBIG

CATSCATS

IN POLAND

For^ the

first

time^

in^ its^

58-year

history,

the^ NATO

Tiger

Meet

was^

staged

in^ a^ former

Warsaw

Pact

country.

Bob

Archer

reports

from^

Pozna

ń-Krzesiny

in^ Poland.

Above: Polish Su-22UM-3K serial 707 – which

has worn Tiger Meet colours since 2003 – heads

a formation comprising Swiss Air Force F/A-18C

J-5011 from Fliegerstaffel 11, Luftwaffe Tornado

ECR 46+57 from TaktLwG 51 and Austrian Air Force

Saab 105 RE-25. All photos Bartek Bera

Left: The inscription ‘Bandit Nightmare’ was

applied to the tail boom of SA342M Gazelle serial

4084 ‘GBJ’ fl own by 3e RHC.