South of Bordeaux in the Southwest of France, deep in the pine-forested Lande county side, lies Mont-de-Marsan, the capital of the Lande and home to the airbase BA118.
BA118 is home to various Squadrons, including two Tiger Squadrons.
ECE 01 030 Silver Coast, operating Mirage 2000s, Rafale B/C and Alpha Jets. Their Squadron emblem is the Tiger.
EC 03 030 Lorraine SPA162 with its Rafale B/C and its emblem, a tiger's head.
This is the location for the NATO 2019 Tiger Meet.
On Friday, the 17th of May 2019, they opened their gates to aviation enthusiasts across Europe and beyond. The operation to host this event was executed with true military professionalism and good nature.
I spent two days at Mont-de-Marsan taking Photographs, one from outside the base and the other inside. The weather conditions were also very different on both days.
Here is my take on the NTM 2019.
Welcome to BA118 at Mont de Marsan and the 2019 "Tiger Meet"
"That is the attitude. Now, bring it on."
Just look at this for action!
MM7312/36-34 F-2000A 936 GEA Special c/s 351A SQ ItAF.
43+25 Tornado IDS TLG-51 special c/s GAF.
15105 F-16AM esq201/301 special c/s PortAF.
617/3-IS Mirage 2000D ECE 01 030 individual marks FAF.
617/3-IS behind is 654/3-ID downwind both are Mirage 2000Ds FAF.
GD-14 SAAB 1050E special c/s Dusentrainerstaffel AustAF.
RE-25 SAAB 1050E special c/s Dusentrainerstaffel AustAF.
3476/GAB SA-342M special c/s 3RHC FADT.
FA-116 F-16AM special c/s 31SQN BAF.
654/3-ID Mirage2000D FAF flying with ECE.01. 030 but belongs to EC 01. 003 FAF.
MM7322/36-40 F-2000A 936 GEA special c/s 351A Itaf.
142/30-GU Rafale C EC. 03. 030 special marks FAF.
202/36-CB E-3F FAF.
30+66 EF-2000 TLG-74 distinctive marks. Arriving Friday morning.
31+19 EF-2000 TLG-74 special marks, Arriving Friday morning.
MM55092/36-62 TF-2000A 936 GEA Itaf.
MM7312/36-34 F-2000A special c/s 936 GEA Itaf.
MM7322/36-40 F-2000A special c/s 936 GEA Itaf.
MM55092/32-62 TF-2000A 936 GEA Itaf.
E-162/8-RJ and 138/8-RQ E EE03.008 FAF.
331/30-IF Rafale B ECE01.030 FAF.
C. 15-37/15-24 EF-18M ALA 15 SpAF.
C.15-28/15-15 EF-18M ALA 15 SpAF.
135/30-GN Rafale C EC03.030 special c/s (Dark Tiger) FAF.
46+38 Tornado ECR TLG-51 GAF.
46+55 Tornado ECR TLG-51 GAF.
46+55 Tornado ECR TLG-51 GAF.
FA-116 F-16AM 31Sqn special c/s BAF.
FA-116 F-16AM 31Sqn special c/s BAF.
FA-116 F-16AM 31Sqn special c/s BAF.
FA-136 F-16AM BAF.
C.15-14/15-01 EF-18AM ALA 15 special c/s SpAF. The Buddy aircraft is C.15-40/15-27.
C.15-14/15-01 EF-18AM ALA 15 special c/s SpAF. The Buddy aircraft is C.15-40/15-27.
E123/8-RM Alpha Jet EE03.008 FAF.
E123/8-RM Alpha Jet EE03.008 FAF.
15104 F-16AM esq201/301 PAF.
46+32 Tornado ECR TLG-51 GAF.
43+25 Tornado ECR TLG-51 special c/s GAF.
43+25 Tornado ECR TLG-51 special c/s GAF.
43+25 Tornado ECR TLG-51 special c/s GAF.
617/3-IS Mirage 2000D ECE01.030 special c/s FAF.
617/3-IS Mirage 2000D ECE01.030 special c/s FAF.
654/3-ID Mirage 2000D EC01.003 on loan to ECE01.030 FAF.
654/3-ID Mirage 2000D EC01.003 on loan to ECE01.030 FAF.
15105 F-16AM esq 201/301 special c/s PAF.
MM7322/36-40 F-2000A 936 GEA special c/s ItAF.
C.15-14/15-01 EF-18M ALA 15 SpAF.
135/30-GN Rafale C EC03.030 special c/s (Dark Tiger) FAF.
FB-15 F-16AM 10W BAF.
FA-116 F-16AM 31 Sqn special c/s BAF.
617/3-IS Mirage 2000D ECE01.030 FAF.
43+25 Tornado ECR TLG-51 special c/s GAF.
Winners of the coveted Silver Trophy Esq 201/301 Portuguese Air Force. After watching those Friday morning departures and seeing 15105's unique colours, I can only agree that it was an excellent result for them.
So looking forward to Beja 2020.
It even has a ring to it!
