Six Polish F-16 fighters took part in the Natov exercises “Tiger Meet” alongside representatives of 11 another nations. Typhoony, Gripeny, F-18, Rafale, helicopters and support aircraft besides flew over the Atlantic waters off the coast of Portugal. Pilots from 6 aircraft squadron 31 Tactical Air Base returned to the country with 3 awards awarded during the exercise.
‘Tiger Meet’ is an yearly exercise of NATO and partner aircraft units whose squadrons have a tiger motif or another large cat in their emblems or names (lions, panthers, jaguara, etc.). It is 1 of the most celebrated and prestigious aviation events in the Alliance, combining combat training with the integration of the pilot and technician environments.
This year's edition took place at the turn of September and October at Beja Air Base in the south of Portugal. The trainers included pilots from Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, large Britain, Turkey and Switzerland. Exercises lasting 2 weeks included Composite Air Operations (COMAO) missions, i.e. combined operations involving different aircraft types.
– In the morning we participated in the COMAO missions, in the afternoon there was another departure for this kind of mission, but a small on a smaller scale, and in addition we performed alleged Shadow Wave flights, that is, fighting the opponent in close visibility – said Colonel Pil. Wojciech Kieczur, commander of the 6th Air Force from 31th Tactical Aviation Base. Six Polish F-16 fighters took part in the exercise.
Polish Hawks "fightd" among others with Eurofighters in the ACM (Air Combat Managing) formula, in which more than 2 aircraft participate (e.g. 2 by two, 4 by four) which allows to practice squad tactics. The exercise of basic manoeuvres was besides performed by a single aircraft or pair of fighters.
Most complex missions were carried out over the Atlantic around 100–140 miles from the shoreline. The scenarios included both Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and defence Counter Air (DCA). – We were not divided with the pilots of another nations permanently by factions. Everyone had to fly both on the ‘red’ and ‘blue’ side, with Germans and British on their side, and the next day the French and Spanish on their side," said Officer 31 BLT. He adds that the exercises were constant at a very advanced level. “We are very pleased that we were able to participate in them, exchanging and gaining fresh experiences,” said Colonel Kieczur.
“NATO Tiger Meet” ended with conventional awards. Polish Tigers won first place for the best pilot outfits presented during the beginning ceremony. The squadron presented itself in historical noble and Hussar costumes.
Poles besides returned to the country with the 3rd prize for the best painting/coating of the aircraft. It's an F-16 with a white-red tiger motif to be first presented on the Air Show in Radom by Col. Maciej “Slaba” Krakowian. Leader of the "F-16 Tiger Demo Team", the show squad of the Polish Air Force He died on a test flight in preparation for the Radom show.. In Portugal everyone knew that “Slab” put quite a few heart into this project. Everyone liked him very much – says the commander of the 6th Air Force Squadron. The officer and colleagues besides received a peculiar Tiger Spirit award, awarded for exemplary behavior, cooperation and building the spirit of a brotherly community as part of NATO Tiger Meet assemblies.
– This award was for us a summary of the hard time that we had late met," said Colonel Kieczur, referring to the tragic event before the Radom Air Show. – We were appreciated for having had a dense start before Tiger Meet, but we flew in and presented ourselves on the right side. We have shown that we are not giving up and we are fighting further – pilot 31 BLT is winning.
