NATO Tiger Meet 2002

This is the Alpha Jet A of Esquadra 301 "Jaguares" of the Força Aérea Portuguesa based at Base Aérea nº 11 at Beja.

This was the first time that the Jaguar was the subject of the colour scheme.

The high gloss overall colour scheme extended over the rear canopy and fuselage areas, giving this aircraft the appearance of being a single seat Alpha Jet.

This colour scheme was applied for NATO Tiger Meet 2001, however, "15250" was chosen because because 2002 was the 50th Anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force as an independent branch of the Armed Forces.

The history of Esquadra 301 amply illustrates the many changes that have affected the Portuguese Armed Forces in the last three decades as they adjusted to a reduction in their commitmentsto former colonies and concentrated on a European and NATO aligned defence posture.

After the 25 April revolution, on August 1974 the Fiats G91s from Esquadra 51 "Falcões" based at BA 5 Monte Real and those from Esquadra 121 "Tigres" from Bissalanca - Guinea, were sent to BA 6 Montijo, forming the Esquadra 62.

The Esquadra was organized according to NATO standards, fulfiling all operational and logistic requirements needed for operations in the european theater.

Later on, Esquadra 93 from Luanda - Angola, (Esquadra 502 "Jaguares" based at Nacala - Mozambique and Esquadra 702 "Escorpiões" based at Tete - Mozambique merged to form Esquadra 93), came to reinforce Esquadra 62. They gave way to today's patch and name - "Jaguares".

During the war in Africa, 13.000 sorties were flown. Five aircraft were shot down by AAA / SAM, with only one pilot killed, with others being rescued from the combat zone.

In 1978 the Esquadra was given the number 301, the actual designation.

Its primary roles are Close Air Support, Battlefield Interdiction and Tactical Reconnaissance. As a secondary role, the Squadron performs Tactical Air Support to Maritime Operations and Defensive Counter Air.

In 1978 Esquadra 301 participates for the first time in the Tiger Meet in Kleine Brogel, Belgium.

In 1980, the supply of a large quantity of Fiat G91 R/3s by the Luftwaffe made possible to 301 Squadron formed a detachment in BA 4 Lajes Açores, that later became Esquadra 303 "Tigres".

Esquadra 301 has won twice the Silver Tiger Trophy, in 1980 and in 1985, flying the very popular Fiat G91 Gina.

The G91 made its last official flight on June 27th 1993, and after that Esquadra 301 moves to BA 11, its present location, and receives the Alpha Jet A.

Since the first flight in Alpha Jet on October 6th 1993, Esquadra 301has flown more than 15.000 hours, participating in several NATO exercises in Europe and hosted the NATO Tiger Meet in 1996, maintaining his Tiger Spirit along all this years.

Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP) - Portuguese Air Force (PoAF)

Gina (Gee Ninety One) - While in Luftwaffe service the Germans found very difficult to say G-91 in english, so, they choose the short and faster way, Gina.