Finnish fighter jets to train on highway during Baana 22 exercise.

In Finland, the Air Force Academy will arrange the Baana 22 exercise in Joutsa on 25 to 30 September 2022. The part of highway 4 used as a landing strip will be closed to all traffic during the exercise.

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Baana 22 air operations will be flown daily between 10:00 and 23:30 from Monday to Thursday, 26-29 September 2022  (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)

Baana is a road base exercise annually conducted by the Finnish Air Force. The lead responsibility of the exercise rotates every year among the Air Force units, and in 2022, it is the Air Force Academy’s turn. The Air Force trains regularly operations from other than a home base to be capable of a quick dispersal across the country, when necessary. Participation in operations from road bases is a part of Air Force pilot training.

Baana 22 air operations will be flown daily between 10:00 and 23:30 from Monday to Thursday, 26-29 September 2022. The objectives of flight training are to perform take-offs and landings based on the flight training syllabus at a road base in day and night-time conditions and to enable operational pilots to conduct advanced training flights. All Air Force aircraft types can be seen in the sky during the exercise. Most of the aircraft involved in the exercise will be F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters and Hawk jet trainers.

Baana is a road base exercise annually conducted by the Finnish Air Force (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)

The total strength of the exercise will be around 200 persons, including 70 reservists. A key objective is to improve cooperation skills between staff and reservists. Aircraft maintenance personnel and reservists will be trained to establish a road base and carry out their activities there including support and rescue tasks. The command and control (C2) systems units will provide communication, air navigation and electrical supply services needed at the temporary base. The military police are to ensure safety and security within the exercise area. The landing strip in Joutsa has been prepared for the exercise operations, and the forest at the edges of the area has been thinned out.

The Defence Forces has the exercise area in its use for the above-mentioned days as laid down in the related administrative decision. Consequently, there will be no access for unauthorised persons without a Defence Forces’ permission. Operating drones will be prohibited over the entire exercise area between Monday 26 September 6:00 and Thursday 29 September 23:30.

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) will close highway 4 between the Korpilahdentie and Pertunmaantie junctions on Sunday 25 September at 20:00. The road will be reopened on Friday 30 September at 6:00. Signs will direct road traffic to a detour during the closure. The ELY Centre has given more detailed information on the detour arrangements. During the closure it is recommended to use highway 24, located on the western side of Lake Päijänne, between Jyväskylä and Lahti. The Municipality of Joutsa will provide information to local residents on changes in daily life due to the exercise.

The military police are to ensure safety and security within the exercise area. The landing strip in Joutsa has been prepared for the exercise operations, and the forest at the edges of the area has been thinned out (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)