The first NATO Tiger Meet was held at RAF Woodbridge on 19 July 1961 in England. The first Tigers were only three and each one represented the air force of their country; the United States, the United Kingdom and France. The basic idea of a Tiger Meet arose in 1960 with the pilots of the 79th TFS, USAFE, at RAF Woodbridge whom had firm ties with the pilots of the RAF No.74 sqdn based at Coltishall, England. Conscious of the common pride in their tiger badge,they decided to organize an annual meeting of pilots and ground crews of both squadrons. Searching for more squadrons with a common emblem, the third member was found across the Channel in France with E.C.1/12 "Cambresis" and then was born the NATO Tiger Meet. Objectives of the Tiger Meets were: promotion of NATO solidarity, achieving and maintaining firmer professional and personal relations among NATO personnel, creating a better understanding of NATO military goals and problems between partners of the alliance.

Flying the F-111E from RAF Upper Heyford, the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron was one of the founding members and was joined by the 393rd Bomb Squadron from the 509th BMW at Pease AFB, NH in 1978. In July 1978, the 393rd BMS deployed one FB-111A to the Tiger Meet 78 taking place at Keine-Brogel AB in Belgium. The FB-111A 68-0247 flown by Jake Mentz and Doug Kohlhepp was given tiger stripes on its tail with automobile paint and a SAC milky way banner from a missile was applied across the nose. The pilot and navigator had their names painted below the cockpit. The crew chief and his assistant for 0247 were Dave Geldert and Russ Currier.

Their second and last participation took place during the 27th Annual Tiger Meet held at B.A.6, Montijo, Portugal in June 1987. The 509th BMW deployed 44 people and three Tiger-stripped FB-111A. On 22 June, the three FBs crewed by the 393rd BMS left Pease AFB for Kleine-Brogel AB, Belgium and flew the next day to Montijo AB where they met the maintenance personnel already in place. The next seven days were filled with non-stop action. Each day, the crews from the 393rd BS flew conventional training sorties, dropping MK-106 practice bombs over local ranges, and formation sorties with other participating aircraft such as Canadian CF-18s, German Alpha Jets and Portuguese G-91s fighter-bombers. When the flying was done for the day, social activities began and included a formal dinner, a reception for NATO military attaches and a flight suit party on the base. The biggest event of the week was certainly the Open House which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force. Over 50 aircraft were on display, including one FB-111A, for a crowd of 250,000. Simulated attack of the field and high performance demo flights also took place. The Tiger Meet ended on 30 June and the next day, the three 393rd BMS crews flew to RAF Lakenheath for a night's stay before continuing to Pease AFB. The week was a huge success for the 509th BMW and the 393rd BMS.

In 1981, the Tiger Meet was held at Bitburg AB, Germany. Major Richard Young, 393rd Bomb Squadron 'C' Flight commander participated in this 21st annual meet. Without and FB-111A, Major Young was the only 393rd Bomb Squadron member able to particpate that year.

68-0247 in Tiger Meet 78 with Dave Geldert (crew chief) and his assistant, Russ Currier. (Via D.Geldert)

68-0247 taking fuel over the pound, courtesy of the NH ANG, on its way to TM 78. (Via D.Geldert)

See a photo of 68-0247 at Tiger Meet 78 with the members of the 393rd BS and the mascot. (USAF via R. Hooker)

Look at the 393rd BS's mascot on display with the 509th BW at Whiteman AFB, MO. (Photo by SMgt.L.Schlittenhart)

And when the tiger was presented to the 509th and 393rd at Andersen AFB, Guam in the late sixties.

View a photo of the 393rd BS's pilots and navigators with the squadron's mascot.(Date unknown)

The 393rd's Tigers at Montijo; (left to right), Greg Schuman, Bob Ott, Dave Gibbs, Dave Astle, Brian Young (upper), Tom Schafer, Kenny Anderson, and Jim Thompson.

TSgt. Harry N.Stone Jr. TM87 Photo album.