Two U.S. Air Force F-35 “Lightning II” fighter jets completed a historic landing on a highway in Finland on Wednesday, September 4th as part of the Finnish Air Force’s annual highway base exercise BAANA 2024.
According to reports from the U.S. Air Force website, these two American fighter jets are assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. Their operations demonstrated the NATO alliance’s ability to deploy air power from unconventional locations has once again progressed.
As reported by Fox News, BAANA 24 is the annual highway base exercise where the Finnish Air Force regularly conducts exercises outside of their main operational bases to be able to rapidly disperse aircraft across Finland when necessary. The goal of the exercise, as stated by the Finnish military, is to practice takeoffs and landings on road bases to ensure readiness for combat operations anytime, anywhere.
The participation of the two F-35 fighter jets in the exercise aims to enhance integration among allied forces. During the exercise, the jets showcased takeoff and landing operations on Finnish highways, practicing Agile Combat Employment to improve the collective cooperative and operational capabilities of partners in joint, high-intensity environments to enhance readiness, responsiveness, and interoperability.
“Our fifth-generation F-35s successfully landing on European highways for the first time demonstrates the growing relationship and close interoperability between us and our Finnish allies,” said General James Hecker, the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. “Learning alongside our Finnish counterparts enhances our ability to rapidly deploy and employ air power from unconventional locations, reflecting the readiness and agility of our forces.”
Finland joined NATO in 2023 and was one of the participants in a recent event held in Ramstein, Germany in June involving fighter jets and pilots from nine countries for a series of air combat simulations.
According to Air and Space Forces magazine, the Finnish Air Force currently operates F/A-18s but plans to acquire 64 F-35s to replace their aging Hornets. The Finnish government announced an increase in defense budgets on September 3rd, part of which will go towards the procurement of F-35 fighters.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated, “During this period, we are dedicating significant resources and time to ensure the security of our citizens and homeland.”
In 2023, a Norwegian F-35A landed on a Finnish highway. The U.S. Marine Corps has also operated F-35B from a closed highway in the United States – the short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the aircraft. In 2016, U.S. Air Force A-10s also conducted landings on a highway in Estonia.
The U.S. Air Force has taken a significant step towards increasing the flexibility of its most advanced aircraft in Europe. The F-35 is the world’s most advanced fighter jet with stealth capabilities to evade radar.
“All of this is something we must be able to do, and it takes practice,” said Saku Joukas, the exercise director and commander of Lapland Air Command in the Finnish Air Force, prior to the exercise. “This exercise will also have a stronger international element. We will showcase our top expertise to allies and provide them with learning opportunities. In this way, we will also send a message about our national defense capabilities.”
The slogan of the Air Force, NATO, and European allied officials is “integration.” Leaders across the alliance are working to operate in non-traditional environments, breaking down barriers to classification and information sharing, and providing mutual services for each other’s aircraft.