Chasing the Tiger: Belgian F-16A FA-101 Debuts 31 Squadron’s 75th Anniversary Tiger Meet Scheme
Belgian Air Force F-16A FA-101 in 31 Squadron 75th anniversary tiger tail scheme landing at Kleine-Brogel Air Base
(Click the images to enlarge)
A specially painted General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon from the Belgian Air Force’s 31 Squadron made its first flight in a new special scheme on 12 March from Kleine-Brogel Air Base. Aircraft FA-101 now carries a striking tiger-themed tail marking the squadron’s 75th anniversary.
Aircraft: F-16A FA-101
Unit: 31 Squadron “Tigers”
Location: Kleine-Brogel Air Base, Belgium
Date: 12 March 2026
The possibility of seeing the aircraft in person had been on my mind even before leaving for Europe. On 18 February, 31 Squadron shared a teaser image on social media showing part of the aircraft inside a paint shop. Nine days later, on 27 February, the squadron officially unveiled FA-101’s full tiger-themed tail.
With several days planned in Belgium during my trip, I began to wonder whether I might be able to catch the aircraft flying. My first attempt came on 9 March at Kleine-Brogel, but the aircraft remained on the ground that day.
With no indication of when the jet might fly, I shifted my plans and prepared to spend 12 March photographing activity at Florennes Air Base instead.
Late on the evening of 11 March, however, 31 Squadron posted a short social media story announcing that FA-101 would fly the following day. The decision was immediate. Plans changed and I returned to Kleine-Brogel early the next morning in the hope of witnessing the aircraft’s first flight in its new anniversary markings.
Flexibility paid off. FA-101 launched as planned, along with 10 other F-16s, providing the first opportunity to photograph the aircraft airborne in its striking new scheme.
FA-101 on approach to Kleine-Brogel showing one side of the special tiger-themed tail marking the squadron’s 75 years in the NATO Tiger Association.
When the jet returned to the airfield it performed a touch-and-go approach, creating an unexpected opportunity. Knowing that the tiger artwork differs on each side of the aircraft’s tail, I quickly ran down the farm road to the opposite side of the approach path as the jet climbed away.
The repositioning proved worthwhile. When FA-101 returned again moments later, it allowed photographs of the opposite side as well, capturing both versions of the anniversary artwork. Surprisingly, all of the other spotters remained in their original positions, leaving me as the sole photographer with images of both sides of the aircraft in flight.
Repositioning to the opposite side of the approach allowed both versions of the tiger artwork to be photographed during the aircraft’s first flight.
Established in 1961, the NATO Tiger Association seeks to promote solidarity between NATO Air forces. All member units have one thing in common: A tiger in their official crest.
This view shows the starboard side tail artwork on the F-16A Fighting Falcon FA-101, completing the documentation of both sides of the new anniversary scheme during its first flight.
With the next Tiger Meet scheduled for early May at Araxos Air Base, Greece, FA-101’s new anniversary markings are certain to attract attention wherever the aircraft appears.
© 2026 Patrick Lalande. All rights reserved.