GENERAL NOTES

It is recognized that the annual NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) has become one of the highlights on the calendar of the modern military enthusiast and that the event does generate considerable media interest, particularly from the specialist aviation press. Increasing demands for media coverage in recent years has necessitated the creation of new NATO Tiger Association (NTA) Public Affairs Officer/Adviser working on behalf of the NATO Tiger Council and I currently fulfil this role.

It should be noted from the start that I am just as my title suggests; an Adviser. The specific organization of any press facility during a NATO Tiger Meet remains the prime responsibility of the host. If, for any reason, the host Squadron decides not to organize a dedicated Press facility, that is their decision and not one made by the NTA. Fortunately most if not all of our members recognize the importance of good Public Relations and make some facility available for the media. Under normal circumstances, the arrangements for a NTM press facility are made by the HQ or base PR Staff in the first instance. My main role is to guide and advise the host PR staff on their arrangements in order to maximize the potential for a top class press facility. In broad terms, we aim to hold a facility, where possible, during the operational phase of the NATO Tiger Meet. Experience shows that this is extremely popular and it helps to make a considerable contribution to one of my main objectives: that of highlighting the operationally focused aspects of the NTM.

As you can imagine, organizing a press facility that caters for the needs of everyone is not easy. We aim to provide an event that gives an overall picture of the NTM with the emphasis on short briefings and as many photo opportunities as possible. Where practicable and permissible, this will include an opportunity to visit the active flight line and operational areas. As an active photographer, I am well aware of the need for good positioning for photographic opportunities and, as anyone who has attended the most recent NTMs can attest, we normally manage to succeed in meeting this particular challenge. We also try to make provision for interviews although this is not always possible, particularly during any busy phase of flying operations.