Military F-35 Jets Perform Unconventional Landing on a Finnish Highway, Marking an Historical Aviation Milestone
The Unconventional Landing: F-35s Take to European Highways
In a first, two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets gracefully touched down on a Finnish highway on September 4. This marked the debut of fifth-generation American aircraft operating from a road, rather than a runway, in Europe. This unprecedented event underscores the U.S. Air Force's efforts to adapt to a leaner infrastructure, as traditional bases face an elevated risk amid growing global threats.
These F-35s, hailing from the 48th Fighter Wing based in RAF Lakenheath, UK, executed a planned "austere landing." As per U.S. Air Forces in Europe, this operation signified their ability to implement Agile Combat Employment (ACE), which allows air forces to operate more efficiently from non-standard airfields.
Joining their American counterparts, German fighters are participating in Finland's annual Baana exercise. The exercise, which commenced on August 31 and ends on September 6, involves the use of Norvatie highway in Rovaniemi and the Hosio highway in Ranua as makeshift runways.
Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, expressed his satisfaction, terming the operation a testament to the growing relationship and close interoperability with Finnish allies. This learning experience reflects the collective readiness and agility of the forces.
Though dispersed operations were common during the Cold War era, they gradually lost favor as Russia receded as a significant threat. However, the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 underscores that air bases and other key military hubs remain high-value targets. Russia has repeatedly targeted these installations with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and glide bombs to circumvent Kyiv's air defenses.
According to Hecker, there's a pressing need for more integration among U.S. and its partners, particularly as many NATO members are transitioning to the F-35. Although ACE is often associated with the Pacific theatre, U.S. forces in Europe have concentrated at major bases, and USAFE is preparing to operate from alternate locations should a base be compromised.
NATO's newest members, Sweden, and Finland, have experience in operating from minimal facilities. Sweden's Gripen fighters are designed to maintain a reduced logistical footprint, while the Swedish Air Force routinely practices landing on highways. Finland's ability to convert a road into a runway is a standard part of Finnish fighter pilot training.
"Since Finland's accession to NATO in 2023, it has provided U.S. Airmen significant opportunities to learn from Finnish counterparts," USAFE stated.
Finland currently operate the F/A-18 but plans to acquire 64 F-35s to replace its ageing Hornet fleet. Finland's government announced plans to increase its defense budget next year, partly to finance the F-35s.
The Finnish Air Force's demonstration of agility echoes the broader aim of the alliance—integration. The alliance is also challenged by the need to operate effectively with limited infrastructure. Leaders across the alliance are striving to break down classification and information-sharing barriers, and cross-serve each other's aircraft, further reinforcing the watchword of "integration."
The Romanian Air Force exemplifies the implementation of ACE, having made it a cornerstone of their national and NATO air force resilience. They're advancing ACE by aligning command and information systems, revitalizing aircraft cross-servicing programs, and modernizing force structures.
The need for ACE in Europe has been fueled by growing threats to U.S. bases, necessitating operational adaptability and enhancing the survivability, responsiveness, and effectiveness of U.S. and allied air forces. This evolution is mirrored by initiatives like the Romanian Air Force's modernization and NATO's collective defense efforts, solidifying ACE's practical value in extending the operational reach and resilience of allied airpower in contested environments.
- As the U.S. Air Force focuses on adapting to leaner infrastructure, there's a growing interest in the Space Force, with its potential to provide security in space-based operations, increasing the defensive capabilities of the air force.
- The pilot training industry is anticipated to evolve, incorporating drone technology for multi-domain operations, allowing air forces to simulate a wider range of scenarios in preparation for various combat situations.
- The military is looking into the development of advanced weaponry, such as next-generation missiles and stealth aircraft, to ensure the aerospace industry can meet the demands of air forces while maintaining cost-effectiveness and financial sustainability.
- With NATO allies facing similar concerns, there's a pressing need for increased collaboration and resource sharing among various countries, particularly in the field of military finance and technology.
- The Finnish government, as part of its defense budget plans, has allocated funds aimed at acquiring F-35s to replace its aging fighter fleet, thereby increasing the collective firepower of NATO forces in Europe.
- The German Air Force is reportedly preparing to integrate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile defense systems into its arsenal, supplementing traditional aircraft and enhancing its capacity for remote and adaptive combat operations.
- As the Romanian Air Force upgrades its infrastructure and modernizes its force structures to align with ACE principles, it is exploring new partnerships with the private sector, particularly in the finance and technology industries, to secure the necessary resources for its transformation.
