The NATO Tiger Association or the Association of Tiger Squadrons was established in 1961. Promoted by French Defence minister Pierre Messmer, its role is to promote solidarity between NATO air forces. It is not, though, part of the formal NATO structure. The 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) of the United States Air Forces in Europe took the initiative and on 19 July 1961, they invited No. 74 Squadron RAF and EC (Fighter Squadron) 1/12 Cambresis of the French Armée de l'air to RAF Woodbridge in England. France was then a full military member of NATO. As of May 2016, the squadrons included in the Association are 24 full members, 10 honorary members, and 7 disbanded members, all of which have a tiger as part of its squadron crest. As well as being opportunities for NATO air forces to share ideas and experiences, the 'Tiger Meets' are also public relations exercises for NATO. NATO aircraft are often brightly painted with tiger stripes. Members The following 24 squadrons are full members of the association. Austrian Air Force 1 Jet Training Squadron 2. Squadron/Fighter Wing Belgian Air Force 31 Smaldeel Czech Air Force 211. taktická letka (211th Tactical Squadron) 221. vrtulníková letka (221st Helicopter Squadron) French Air Force Escadron de Chasse et d'Expérimentation 05/330 Escadron de Chasse 3/30 Lorraine French Navy Flottille 11F German Air Force Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann" Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74 "Bavarian Tigers" Hellenic Air Force 335 Squadron "Tigers" Hungarian Air Force 59/1 Squadron Italian Air Force XII Gruppo 21 Gruppo (387th and 388th Flights) (NATO Airborne Early Warning Force) Squadron 1 Royal Netherlands Air Force 313 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force 338 Skvadron Polish Air Force 6 Squadron Portuguese Air Force Esquadra 301 "Jaguares" Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 11 Spanish Air Force 142 Escuadrón Ala 15 Turkish Air Force 192 Filo Royal Air Force 230 Squadron Royal Navy 814 Naval Air Squadron Honorary members Royal Canadian Air Force 439 CSS Indian Air Force 1 Squadron Slovak Air Force 1 Lt (Bojova letka) United States Air Force 37th Bomb Squadron United States Air Force 79th Fighter Squadron United States Air Force 120th Fighter Squadron United States Air Force 391st Fighter Squadron United States Air Force 393rd Bomb Squadron United States Air National Guard 141st Air Refueling Squadron United States Navy VP-8 Probationary members none Former members The following squadrons were formerly members of the NATO Tiger Association until their disbanding by