Two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force’s 493rd Fighter Squadron successfully landed on a highway in Finland as part of the BAANA24 exercise. The event took place on September 4, when the two aircraft touched down on the Hosio Highway, a narrow 30-meter-wide strip, marking the first time fifth-generation American aircraft have operated from a road in Europe. This maneuver was part of the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, which emphasizes operating from unconventional locations to enhance combat readiness.
The BAANA24 exercise, hosted by the Finnish Air Force, simulates real-world conditions, demonstrating the ability to operate from non-traditional airfields, which has become increasingly important given rising threats to established military bases.
Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “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.”
Finland has become an important partner in NATO’s defense strategy, offering opportunities for allied forces to test and improve their operations. This exercise is part of NATO’s broader ACE strategy, which allows forces to adapt quickly by deploying from more dispersed and less traditional airfields, a crucial capability in response to modern threats, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
An American F-35 just landed on a Finnish highway for the first time
🇺🇸🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/qCwPO1vfM7
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 4, 2024
Operating from dispersed locations, once a Cold War-era practice, has gained renewed importance following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has shown that military bases and airfields are prime targets, prompting NATO allies to increase their focus on flexibility and survivability. The F-35’s highway landing during the BAANA24 exercise reflects this shift, enabling operations in austere environments with minimal infrastructure, a key objective of the ACE concept.
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