Finland: Lapland Air Command to conduct Talvinorva 21 exercise.

Lapland Air Command (the peace-time Finnish Air Force unit responsible for the protection of the airspace of northern Finland) will conduct the Talvinorva 21 exercise in Rovaniemi from 24 to 25 February 2021. During the exercise, road 9523 (Norvatie) will be closed to traffic and used as a launch strip for F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters.

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F/A-18 Hornet (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)

Readiness to use temporary operating bases as well as alternate launch strips and taxiways around the year is a part of the Finnish Air Force's mobile battle concept. Alternate launch strips, such as Norvatie in Rovaniemi, enhance the mobility and dispersal of assets within an air base.

"In Talvinorva 21, we will train base operations and take-offs outside the aircraft stands and runways we use daily. Norvatie provides us with an excellent opportunity to do so as a part of our normal flight operations. Year-round readiness to disperse our assets requires training in winter conditions" says Exercise Director and Commander of Lapland Air Command, Colonel Tuukka Karjalainen.

Road 9523 (Norvatie) will be closed to traffic at the highway strip on Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 9 pm. Ambulances, police cars and fire trucks on an emergency call can be allowed to drive through the exercise area. The road will be reopened no later than on Thursday 25 February 2021 at 4 pm.