By Dean Murray
Amazing scenes saw warplanes land on a public highway this week.
A section of road was closed to civilians as Finnish Air Force fighter planes and allies practiced touch-and-go landings and take-offs.
The training consisted of a base operations exercise and the Baana 25 highway strip exercise in Tikkakoski.
It involved more than 20 allied aircraft and nearly 2,000 conscripts, reservists and active-duty personnel.
(Finnish Air Force via SWNS)
In addition to the Finnish Air Force aircraft, F-35A Lightning II fighter jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force were set to fly in the exercise.
The flight operations of the Baana exercise were carried out between 26-29 May.
The Finnish Air Force had said: "The exercise will train the units in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures of combat operations at the Tikkakoski and Halli air bases and also in the Central Finland region.
"During the Baana exercise, troops are trained to operate on a highway strip, to use the Air Force’s concept of dispersed operations, and to cooperate with Allies."
(Finnish Air Force via SWNS)
NATO Allies also conducted highway operating exercises in Sweden, showcasing Agile Combat Employment (ACE) tactics that enhance operational flexibility and resilience in contested environments.
“ACE is a key capability, which we would employ to defend Europe in any Article 5 confrontation,” Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO Allied Air Command, emphasised on the importance of ACE in modern warfare. “ACE brings together Air Forces from across the Alliance and has them operate from many different air bases, ensuring the credibility and capabilities that underpin our deterrence posture.”
(Finnish Air Force via SWNS)
An Article 5 confrontation is a situation where an armed attack against one NATO member is treated as an attack against all members, obligating the entire alliance to respond collectively in defense.
NATO added: "The Finnish and Swedish exercises in May demonstrate NATO's collective ability to adapt and respond quickly to emerging threats."
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