Translated from
https://www.publico.pt/2020/02/19/local ... qbxwPeDytc
The figures reveal the scale of the military air festival that next May will make Beja a place of pilgrimage for military aviation lovers and enthusiasts. The 2020 Nato Tiger Meet will concentrate at Air Base No. 11, more than 100 aircraft and about 3000 military personnel from 16 allied countries, says the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) in a statement.
FAP admits that on the day of the air festival, on 17 May, which marks the 68th anniversary of the Air Force, “about 100,000 people” may be present inside and on the outskirts of BA nº 11 to watch the evolution of most sophisticated military aviation devices.
Air Force claims that watches are pieces of art and makes direct adjustment of 54 thousand euros
Air Force claims that watches are pieces of art and makes direct adjustment of 54 thousand euros
“It is one of the largest international exercises ever carried out in Portugal”, highlights the FAP statement, highlighting the presence of 22 flight squadrons, from various nations, which have a “Tiger” as a symbol. Since its creation, FAP has carried out the Tiger Meet exercise in the years 1987, 1996 and 2002, the latter two in Beja.
In the events held then, the bombs of military aviation added up to many thousands of horsepower shaving the spectators' heads, awakened by the evolution of the German and Italian Tornadoes, the French Mirages, the F-16s of several countries including Portugal. The Americans introduced the A / OA-10 Thunderbolt II, the invisible Lockheed 117 Nighthawk aircraft, the B-52 bomber, and the slender, noisy, gray bomber B-1, reminiscent of a bird of prey: “A bisarma” as the biggest viewer characterized him at the time. This year, the number of aircraft is higher, as well as its "performance".
A series of initiatives will be associated with the event with the name “Tiger Pegadas”: The festival's organization will work in partnership with the Food Bank and mint 10,000 euro coins, allusive to the festival, to sell them at a unit cost of three euros. Donating 20,000 euros to a social institution is the ultimate goal. The “social footprint” will also contribute 301 euros to 10 institutions involved in the collection or treatment of animals.
Environmental concerns dominate the organization of the event. During the festival, the exercise “Plastic Free Zone” will be declared, which excludes the use of materials manufactured using plastic.
Air Force and Navy to take 30 tons of merchandise to Flores
Air Force and Navy to take 30 tons of merchandise to Flores
The ecological footprint is completed by a campaign to plant cork oaks and holm oaks inside the Air Base, where there are already several stands of these trees, a task that will count on the participation of pilots and other military personnel, the PUBLIC learned.
The NATO Tiger Association was created in 1961, with the aim of promoting cooperation and solidarity between NATO Air Forces, highlights the FAP. In July 1961, the first meeting / exercise was held in Woodbridge, England, with an English RAF and a French squadron. Since that date, Tiger Meet has been held annually with the presence of flight stations that have a “Tiger” as a symbol. At present, the association has 24 associated police stations, from 18 countries.
In 1978, Squadron 301 “Jaguares” started to represent Portugal in that year's Tiger Meet held in Belgium. This squadron won the “Silver Tiger”, the trophy that recognizes the best flight squadron in each exercise, in four editions: 1980, 1985, 2011 and 2019. In 2020, the dispute will take place in Portuguese territory.
In addition to an Air Festival, there will be a static exhibition area, with planes painted with colors and “Tiger” emblems and special stands related to the aviation area.
The Tiger Meet opening ceremony is scheduled for May 10th. On the 17th of May the air festival takes place with the presence of several military aircraft and acrobatic patrols. The closing ceremony will take place on the 21st of May
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