U.S. F-35A Jets Land On A Highway Strip In Finland For The First Time

Baana, known in NATO as “Imminent Field,” is the Finnish Air Force’s annual exercise focused on road base operations. According to the Finnish Air Force, the exercise is part of Finland’s strategy to maintain readiness by dispersing aircraft across various locations outside main bases, enhancing operational flexibility. During Baana 24, flight operations will run from Sept. 2 to 5, with a backup day on September 6. Activities will include take-offs and landings on highway strips by F/A-18 Hornets, Hawk trainers, and support aircraft, with participation from U.S. and German forces.

The Lapland Air Wing will practice from both highway strips and the main base in Rovaniemi, demonstrating Finland’s defense capabilities to allies while enhancing readiness. According to Exercise Director Colonel Saku Joukas, this exercise is crucial for demonstrating Finland’s preparedness and sharing expertise with international partners.

Highway operations

After World War II and throughout the Cold War, several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, adopted the concept of highway strips—designated sections of highways or public roads that could be used as runways. This approach aimed to address the vulnerability of airbases, whose locations were well-known and would likely be targeted early in any conflict. Highway operations were standard in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe during the Cold War, though they became less common after the Warsaw Pact’s collapse.

In the last decade, there has been a resurgence in training for dispersed operations, including highway landings, as seen with Finnish, Swedish, Swiss and U.S. drills. More recently, the war in Ukraine has shown how airfields, even those located quite far from the battlefront, can be vulnerable to attacks conducted with drones.

Dispersed airfield operations and highway landings are becoming increasingly important for modern air forces because they enhance the survivability and operational flexibility of aircraft in conflict scenarios. By dispersing aircraft across multiple locations, including highways and smaller, less predictable airstrips, forces can reduce their vulnerability to attacks on main bases, complicate enemy targeting, and maintain air operations even if primary airfields are compromised.

This strategy supports rapid redeployment and continuity of missions, making it harder for adversaries to neutralize air assets effectively. Additionally, it demonstrates adaptability and resilience in dynamic and high-threat environments.