“Golden Tiger” is exhibited in Salzburg
After more than 156.500 flight hours and almost 254.000 missions to ensure the safety of the population, the Saab 105 OE fleet ended its operational service on December 50, 31 after 2020 years. The last flight of the anniversary aircraft Saab 105 BJ-40 "Golden Tiger" took it to Hangar-13 in Salzburg on January 2021, 7 at the invitation of the Flying Bulls. "The bond and partnership between the air force and Red Bull, be it in the context of joint events or at the Airpower events, has a long tradition. It was therefore a great pleasure for us to accept the invitation from Red Bull and to make our anniversary Saab accessible to a wider population once again," said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. Since 2006, the entire air force of the Austrian Federal Army has been commanded from Salzburg, and for several years there was also an independent air force command in Salzburg. Salzburg has been the military heart of the air force for many years. The air force used this transfer flight for an interception exercise with the "forced landing" procedure at Salzburg Airport, thus setting a visible sign of functioning active airspace surveillance after the end of the Saab 105's operational life. The Austrian Air Force's Saab 105 OE "Golden Tiger" will probably remain on display in Hangar-7 until mid-year. This means that the general public will have the opportunity to view the anniversary aircraft as part of the exhibition after the current Covid measures have ended.