The Tiger Meet Of The Americas 2003.

Photographer's notes.

Welcome to The Tiger Meet Of The Americas 2003! On this page, you will see a selection of photos taken during the meet by SMSgt John Rohrer from the CO ANG, the photographers from 4 Wing Cold Lake and myself. This was my first visit to Cold lake and a long time since my last one on a Canadian Forces Base! Preparations for this visit started six months ago with the Vermont Air National Guard participating in the meet. As usual, I came forward and proposed a special marking to be applied on the 134th Fighter Squadron's F-16C. After missing the 2001's edition, I did not want to miss this one! While talking to the Vermont ANG, the idea came to me to invite the 133rd ARS from the New Hampshire ANG at Pease ANGB, NH. Neighbouring Vermont, New Hampshire is the home state for the Wildcats of the NH ANG. Unfortunately, the 133rd ARS was unable to accept the invitation and participate in the meet. Soon after, the 141st ARS from the New Jersey ANG confirmed its participation with one KC-135E to provide tanker support during the meet. On September 12, along with nine VT ANG and other NJ ANG members, I've boarded a KC-135E bound for CFB Cold Lake, AB. Our flight plan called for the tanker to join with the 79th FS F-16 to meet over Tennessee. Later, near the Canadian border, the Colorado ANG F-16s came on the boom to refuel before heading for Cold Lake. This turned out to be my best opportunity to photograph these F-16s in the air. During the first day of flying, I've joined the KC-135 crew for a refueling mission with some CF-18s. Due to a faulty seal with the basket, the tanker could not transfer fuel and the CF-18s did not even came close for a photo! On the second day, in the air again to refuel some jets. This time, the 120th FS showed up with 8 F-16. Again, the tiger striped F-16 was the first on the boom! At this time, I was hoping to get some of them in different formations behind the boom. Unfortunately, the jets had a Time On Target (T.O.T.) and could not stick around for the photos. Well, I got the usual shots from behind and managed to catch a few more on the side of the tanker. A special formation flight was scheduled for the third and last day of flying. At this point, I had decided to stay on the ground that day and catch some of the launching aircraft. Going up in the tanker for the formation flight were two photographers from 4 Wing Cold Lake and the 120th FS's photographer, SMSgt John Rohrer who agreed with me to share their photos taken that day. When the KC-135 with the two Tiger's jet on the wing tip performed a flyby over the base, I was in the ATC tower hoping for a hole in the cloud cover and get at least a decent shot of the formation. Never happened! Typical weather for Cold Lake during the Tiger Meet was overcast, low ceiling and cold temperatures. Everything to make a photographer's life more enjoyable! During my stay in Cold Lake, I saw the sun twice! The day of the Open House and the Thursday afternoon when everybody was at the Tiger Games, including myself. I've participated twice in the 'Hornet Pull'. Once with the Catamounts and another with the 35mm Tiger squadron, a group composed of photographers attending the meet and the Public Affairs Officer. When this was done, Peter (my assistant) and I wasted no time and walked the ramp of 410, 416 and 441 Sqdn to catch some of the local 'Hornets' and the 391st FS's F-15E. It was great to finally get something on film, and digital, with some sunshine and blue parts in the sky! Friday was the departure day for almost everybody. Staying behind was the KC-135E from the 141st ARS, the Catamounts ground crew and two photographers hoping to get home one day! Due to bad weather on the East Coast, our flight was delayed until Saturday morning. With no one to refuel on the way home, we made it back to McGuire AFB in 4 hours! Followed a seven hours drive to Burlington ANGB. As we often say, a deployment like this is more like an adventure! Indeed it was a great adventure and many people made it possible, among them were the folks from the VT ANG, the NJ ANG's 141st ARS, and 'Bucca' from 410 Sqdn. "Thumbs Up" to all for the support!

Not to be forgotten are Master Corporal John Clevett and his crew from Visual Information for their support. In fact, everybody in 4 Wing was very cooperative and the entertainment was enjoyed by all every day!

Click on the thumbnail to view a larger photo!