Finnish Air Force Maintenance Personnel Begin Six-Month F-35 Training in US

The first contingent of Finnish Air Force aircraft maintenance personnel has commenced initial F-35 training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. This crucial six-month program, which began in September, marks a significant step in Finland's integration of the advanced multi-role fighter into its defense capabilities. The training focuses on theoretical knowledge and simulator exercises for the F-35.

Lieutenant Colonel Mikko Takalo, leading the maintenance team, emphasized the quality of the instruction. "Eglin provides excellent conditions for F-35 initial training. A large number of personnel are trained there – thousands of students have already been through the training programme. We will receive very high-quality training here," he stated. The personnel will undergo intensive instruction on F-35 systems, including engine maintenance procedures and arming the aircraft, with all actions meticulously recorded in training databases.

Following the theoretical and simulator phase in Florida, the Finnish personnel will proceed to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for practical, hands-on training directly on F-35 fighters. There, they will work within Lockheed Martin’s maintenance organization, gaining real-world experience. This structured approach aims to transition personnel from general knowledge to specific, practical application on the aircraft.

Upon completion of their training in the United States, these personnel will return to Finland to establish and lead the national F-35 training system. Their expertise will be vital in preparing additional Finnish Defence Forces personnel and conscripts for the F-35's operational demands. Finland anticipates the first F-35A fighters to arrive at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi by the latter half of 2026, with full operational capability targeted for the end of 2030. The F-35 program is a cornerstone of Finland's defense modernization and its growing interoperability with NATO allies.