The Aviation Magazine No 52 September-October 2017 | Page 60
Colonel Didier Polome, said: ”The occasion to host the
Tactical Weapon Meet (TWM) in Florennes is the 100th
birthday of the 1.sqn.”
The 1.sqn of the Belgian Air Force
“Stingers” celebrates in 2017 the
100th anniversary of their symbol,
the Thistle, adopted in 1917 during
WW1. The 1.sqn was formed in 1913. For the birthday, one of the F‐16 was
presented in a special paint scheme with thistles on the tail. The motto of this squadron: “Nemo me impune
lascessit” (No one provokes me with impunity), was painted on the black external wing tanks. The 1.sqn is part
of the 2nd Tactical Wing.
The TWM was embedded in the 100 year celebration. Objectives of the TWM: Not a flag/course, for junior
leaders, flexibility to fit with participants needs. According to the 1st sqn Commander “BK”: ”In the first week
the participants learn and understand advantages and limitations of coalition assets. The contents of the sec‐
ond week: Joint and combined war type missions with the main content : share lessons acquired and tactics
developed during recent coalition operations”. There were 216 people involved in the exercise. 232 sorties of
mission flights were performed with about 300 flying hours. And the following air forces participated: Hellenic
Air Force with 2 F‐4E PI2000, from338 Mira “Ares”, Andravida AB; Italian Air Force with 3 EF2000, from 4
Stormo, Grosseto AB; Polish Air Force with 3 MiG‐29, 1.ELT, Minsk Mazowiecki AB; Royal Air Force with 3
Hawk T.1A, from 100 sqn, Leeming AB; Spanish Air Force with 3 EF2000, from Ala 11, Moron AB and of
course several F‐16 AM/BM from 1.sqn and 350. sqn from the 2nd Tactical Wing of the Belgian Air Force.
Guest: Two Mirage 2000‐5F based at Luxeuil, France. The 2‐EJ with a special colour scheme on the occasion
of their 100th anniversary with a huge stork, the symbol of the squadron. A F‐16 BM “30 years OCU” based at
Kleine Brogel, Belgium (OCU=Operational Conversion Unit) and a F‐16 AM from the 349 sqn based at Kleine
Brogel, Belgium, Motto: “Strike Hard, Strike Home” with a spiked mace on the tail.
The Aviation Magazine Media would like to express our thanks to Captain „PeC“ for the invitation to the press‐
day and the Commander of the 1.sqn „Stingers“ for their great hospitality and assistance on base. Thank you!
T he chief of the air base at Florennes, Base Commander