US Air Force F-35s make historic first on highway in Finland.

Operation "Harpie," initiated in 2008 to combat illegal gold mining in French Guiana, has yet to achieve its objective due to the persistent use of mercury in gold extraction, leading to widespread environmental damage and escalating criminal activity, Laurent Lagneau writes in Opex360. Despite concerted efforts by the Armed Forces and National Gendarmerie, including forest patrols, equipment seizures, and arrests of illegal miners, the illicit gold trade continues to thrive, inflicting significant economic and environmental harm estimated at over 500 million euros annually.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., made history by landing on a highway strip during the exercise BAANA 2024, Sept. 4, 2024, on Hosio Highway Strip, Ranua, Finland. (Picture source:US Army)

General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, emphasized the importance of this first-ever landing of a fifth-generation F-35 on a European highway, highlighting the growing relationship and interoperability with Finnish forces. He also stressed that this operation enhances the ability to rapidly deploy air power from unconventional locations, reflecting the collective readiness and agility of allied forces.

BAANA 2024: Objectives

Exercise BAANA 2024, of which this landing is a part, focuses on the ability of air forces to operate from austere locations such as roads or highways, simulating wartime conditions where traditional airfield infrastructure may be damaged or unavailable. This is a strategic exercise aimed at demonstrating the agility of military forces to quickly and effectively respond using civilian infrastructure as launch or landing sites.

Since Finland joined NATO in 2023, U.S. forces have had several opportunities to work closely with their Finnish counterparts, including in exercises like this. In June, Finland also participated in an air superiority exercise at Ramstein, Germany, alongside eight other nations. This kind of cooperation not only improves air capabilities but also fosters tactical knowledge exchange.

Landing on a Highway: A Strategic Capability

Landing fighter jets on a highway presents significant strategic advantages. First, it allows for the decentralization of air operations, making military forces more unpredictable and less vulnerable to attacks targeting conventional air bases. This flexibility also expands operational areas, enabling aircraft like the F-35 to refuel, rearm, and take off again quickly from improvised locations without the need for sophisticated airfield infrastructure.

Moreover, this capability demonstrates the resilience of allied forces and their ability to continue operations even when conventional infrastructure is damaged or unavailable. It also enhances response speed and agility, both of which are critical in modern warfare, where mobility and flexibility are key factors.