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Finnish Air Force to hold major military exercise in November
The Finnish Air Force will conduct its annual main military exercise, Protective Fence, from November 19 to 27. The exercise involves approximately 4,100 personnel and over 40 aircraft. Participating units include all Finnish Air Force units, along with personnel, conscripts, and reservists.
International allies are contributing to the drill. The Netherlands will deploy an F-35A Lightning II fighter squadron to the Karjala Air Base in Siilinjärvi. France will participate with a Rafale fighter squadron based in Rovaniemi, and Sweden will participate using aircraft from its Kallax base. The United Kingdom and the United States, along with the Virginia Air National Guard, will provide experts, though they are not sending fighter jets.
The exercise emphasizes the importance of decentralized fighter operations, a strategy highlighted by recent combat experiences in Ukraine. For the first time, the Air Force will utilize the Jännevirta emergency landing site near Siilinjärvi between November 18 and 25, which may cause traffic disruptions on Highway 9 between Kuopio and Joensuu. Other locations used during the exercise include Oulu, Kajaani, Tikkakoski, Seinäjoki, Kuorevesi, and Pori.
Entities
Finnish Air Force · NATO · Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force · Siilinjärvi · Vesa Mäntylä
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 4,100 soldiers and over 40 aircraft will participate in the exercise. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sweden is participating from its Kallax air base. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United Kingdom and United States are sending experts but not fighter jets. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Netherlands is participating with one F-35A fighter squadron. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The exercise includes the use of flare and chaff decoys. www.kaleva.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Finnish Air Force main military exercise is scheduled for November 19 to 27. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi
- [○ 1 SOURCE] France is participating with a Rafale fighter squadron. www.kaleva.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Jännevirta emergency landing site will be used for the first time. www.savonsanomat.fi · www.uutis-jousi.fi · www.kaleva.fi