The NATO Tiger Association was started in 1959 to improve relationships between individual squadrons within NATO. Each of these squadrons used a tigers head in their squadron crest, the tiger standing as a symbol of strength, speed and hunting prowess. Since 1962 these Tiger Meets have become more than an excuse to paint their aircraft, they are now full-scale military exercises with the Tiger squadrons playing out a different scenario each year (more here).

2007 saw the first Tiger Meet to be held in Scandinavia, at Ørland Main Air Station, near Trondheim in Norway. Appropriately renamed 'Arctic Tiger', the 2007 Meet saw aircraft from 12 nations come together, culminating in a public open day on September 29th. All squadrons had made an effort to create Tiger schemes for their aircraft, with the German Air Force Tornado ECR and French Navy Super Etendard producing the most spectacular paint jobs. However, since these units had not participated in the preceeding exercise, they were not eligible to win the title of Best Colour Scheme, with Swiss AF Hornet J-5011 being awarded the crown.