A Sample Feature From Aviation News

Artic Tiger with a humanitarian touch

Above: For visual effect, the two Dassault Super Etendards from Flot 11F, Aéronavale, proved the unofficial winners in the painting stakes. The French have become something of a leading participant against which others are judged in this aspect of the annual Tiger Meet event, adding to the interest for both participants as well as journalists. The aircraft is seen parked at Orland. (All photos, Bob Archer)

THE Royal Norwegian Air Force staged Exercise Arctic Tiger 2007 between September 24 and October 1, the first occasion that the Nato Tiger Association flying event has taken place in Scandinavia.  More than 1,100 personnel assigned to 21 flying squadrons from 12 nations flew to Orland Military Air Station, near Trondheim, during the preceding days in readiness for five days of intense operations. A year of preparations culminated in the participation by 56 fighter aircraft (F-16, SF/FA-18, Rafale, Mirage F.1, Mirage 2000, A-7), 11 helicopters (Bell 412, Puma, Sea King, Merlin, Mi-24), two medium transports (Mystere 20 ECM and C-130H), and two E-3 Sentry AEW aircraft, which collectively flew more than 500 sorties.

The basis for the exercise was the familiar humanitarian theme involving a dispute between three fictitious nations escalating into warfare. Following a United Nations resolution, a coalition of Nato forces was formed to bring peace and stability to the region. The core activity was on the role provided by the integrated helicopter force, with the mixed capability fixed-wing squadrons primarily operating in a support function.
Operations on day one were devoted to the rescue of UN hostages, with ground forces flown by helicopter to effect their release, while air assets carried out close air support. Day two focussed upon medical evacuation of both military and civilian casualties, while the third day concentrated upon combat search and rescue to successfully retrieve downed aircrew. The final two days of activities were dedicated to direct assault involving full scale tactical operations to impose the peacekeeping mandate.

Above: Departing on a morning sortie, Armée de l’Air Mirage 2000C from EC01.012, sports a reminder of when the Nato Tiger Meet began and also that this unit is one of three remaining members of the original Tiger units. Below left: Artwork on one of the Czech Mi-24V Hinds, now carried for its third year.

Monitoring the operation
All flying operations were overseen by a Nato Boeing E-3 Sentry which monitored the ever changing scenario. Each daily flying programme was formed into a Nato air tasking order, identifying each squadron’s specific role. All nine flying programmes were planned and organised by a different squadron, thereby maximising the training benefit of a complex Combined Air Operation (COMAO). The day began with a mass briefing for all participants to detail at some length the full plan for both the morning and afternoon sorties. The full range of flight activities for all participants, as well as the expected weather conditions and alternate airfields, were briefed before each flight convened to hold their individual briefings.
Mission packages were formed to practice conventional ground-attack, including close air support as well as air superiority. No weapons were carried as all engagements and aerial attacks were simulated. Each morning launch numbered between 40-50 aircraft, while those taking place in the afternoon were slightly less. Mission time averaged approximately two hours from the first fixed-wing launch until the final recovery. However, the concluding mission included an aerial refuelling by a Boeing KC-135R of the 100th Air Refuelling Wing operating from RAF Mildenhall.

Top to bottom: Winner of the best artwork award went to the paint scheme on the tail of this Swiss FA-18 Hornet; close-up of the other Turkish entrant (on 93-0680) with a tiger reminiscent of a UK cereal packet design; due credit (and rightly so) was given to the two artists within 338 Skv for this striking Norwegian tail design on F-16B 692; a non-participant was this hangar-bound Norwegian Northrop F-5A.

For the rest of this feature please see the December 2007 issue.