by U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
Public Affairs September 13, 2024
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to 48th Fighter Wing RAF, Lakenheath, U.K. lands during exercise BAANA 2024 on Hosio Highway strip, Ranua, Finland, Sept. 4. During the exercise two F-35 aircraft demonstrated landing and take off operations on a highway strip in Finland to practice Agile Combat Employment which increases the ability of our collective partners to collaborate and operate in a joint, high-intensity environment, improve readiness, responsiveness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tabatha Chapman)
Two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, U.K., executed a historic, austere landing on a pre-designated highway in Finland Wednesday during exercise BAANA 2024.
The austere landing demonstrates advancements in the NATO Alliance’s ability to perform operations under the U.S. Air Force’s agile combat employment concept and promotes closer integration among Allied forces.
U.S. Lt. Col. David Deal, right, 435th Contingency Response Support Squadron commander, assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany stands with Finnish air force Col. Saku Joukas, middle, Lapland Air Wing commander, Finland and German air force Lt. Col. Thomas Kotting, left, Tactical Air Wing 71R commander assigned to Wittmund Air Base at a press conference during exercise BAANA 2024 on Hosio Highway strip, Ranua, Finland, Sept. 4. During the exercise U.S. Air Force Airmen expanded on Agile Combat Employment capabilities by learning austere environment aircraft landing and take-off operations and techniques from their Finnish counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tabatha Chapman)
“The successful first-ever landing of our fifth generation F-35 on a highway in Europe is a testament to the growing relationship and close interoperability we have with our Finnish Allies,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. “The opportunity to learn from our Finnish counterparts improves our ability to rapidly deploy and employ air power from unconventional locations and reflects the collective readiness and the agility of our forces.”
Since Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023, it has provided U.S. Airmen significant opportunities to learn from Finnish counterparts. Among the most recent activities, the Finnish Air Force was among a total of nine national air forces to participate in the 1v1 air superiority exercise held in June at Ramstein. During that event, fighter aircraft and pilots from the nine nations participated in a series of aerial combat simulations.
For further information, please contact the USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.
A press conference is held during exercise BAANA 2024 with military leaders from Germany, Finland and the United States on Hosio Highway Strip, Ranua, Finland, Sept. 4. During the exercise NATO Allies collaborated to adapt, innovate and strengthen our collective defense while making history by landing U.S. fighter aircraft on a Finnish highway strip demonstrating military capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tabatha Chapman)
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