Dramatic video footage released by the Finnish Air Force shows F/A-18 Hornet Take off from the highway as part of operational training in arctic conditions.
The new NATO member is holding its main military exercise of the year, involving about 40 aircraft and 3,800 pilots, aimed at “developing the readiness and capabilities of its air force.”
Finland, which sought to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine by land, sea and air in February 2022, joined the alliance last April and named this year’s military exercise “Hanki 24.”
Incredible photos shared by the Finnish Air Force on X (formerly Twitter) show fighter jets on a highway that was closed to traffic during training.
A total of 30 F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighter aircraft are being tested as well as Hawker jet trainers and transport and liaison aircraft.
“The purpose of the exercise is to enhance the air force’s combat readiness and capabilities,” said Brigadier General Timo Hranen, chief of staff of the Finnish Air Force Command and the leader of the exercise.
“We will train for base operations and large-scale air operations from dispersed locations.
“One of the most important training goals is to have our reservists practice the tasks outlined in the Air Force Concept of Operations in winter conditions.”
the air force told I The drill is held annually, usually in the fall. “This year our focus is on training reservists in Arctic winter conditions, so we decided to organize the main exercise in February,” a spokesman said.
“Annual exercises are routine, but also very important for maintaining and developing the combat readiness of the Air Force. Since the Cold War, we have regularly and continuously trained fighter aircraft operations in Finland from dispersed locations, including highway strips.”
The main air bases for the exercise, which started on Monday and ends on Saturday, are Tikakoski air base in Jyväskylä and Rovaniemi, but airfields across the country will be used to practice agile operations.
Highway 4 and Highway 9523 in Tikkakoski (Novushin) Both factories in Rovaniemi were closed during the exercise.
Finland officially joined NATO last April, doubling Russia’s borders with the alliance.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia, and after Russia invaded Ukraine, it abandoned its longstanding policy of military non-alignment and joined NATO to insure itself against potential Russian aggression.
Under Nato’s iron-clad security treaty, an attack on one member state would be considered an attack on all members – meaning any Russian incursions into Finnish territory will now trigger attacks by countries including the US, UK, France and Germany. Military responses from 30 countries.
NATO is also a key target for Ukraine.
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