USAF F-15 53d FS SQN PATCH NATO TIGER EAGLE DRIVER DISB

The Air Force reassigned several aircraft belonging to US Air Forces in Europe in fiscal 1999. The moves complied with a 1996 Combat Air Forces decision to return fighter squadrons to a standard size of 24 primary assigned aircraft, and allowed USAFE fighter units to better-support normal operations during partial squadron deployments. Command fighter units were previously made up of 18 assigned aircraft. The reorganization affected Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Spangdahlem's 23rd Fighter Squadron gained six F-16 aircraft from the Combat Air Force's attrition reserve fleet. The air base's 53rd Fighter Squadron, comprised of 18 F-15C aircraft, was deactivated. Six of the aircraft moved to Lakenheath's 493rd Fighter Squadron, and the remaining aircraft were transferred to Air Combat Command.
About 1,500 people were on the ramp of Hangar One 10 March 1999 for the inactivation ceremony of the last U.S. Air Force NATO Tiger unit. The 53rd Fighter Squadron's inactivation, effective March 31, came as a result of a force structure realignment of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe to comply with a 1996 Combat Air Forces decision to return fighter sqns to a standard size of 24 primary assigned aircraft. This was an increase from the current level of 18 PAA.
The 53rd FS NATO Tigers maintained a phenomenal pace despite the black cloud of the impending inactivation. In less than two years, the squadron deployed to, and operated from, nine countries on three continents, and accumulated more than 11,000 flying hours supporting both contingency and training operations.