FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS- A Finnish Air Force pilot flew the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II for the first time on April 15, 2025, taking off from Ebbing Air Force Base in Fort Smith (FSM), Arkansas.
The flight, conducted on aircraft JF-502, began at 2:17 p.m. local time and marked a major milestone in Finland’s multi-year transition from the legacy F/A-18 Hornet fleet to the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The practical flying phase follows months of theoretical and simulator instruction that started in February 2026 at Eglin Air Force Base near Valparaiso (VPS), Florida.
Finland plans to train approximately 150 personnel in the United States, with around 20 of them serving as instructors whose group training will continue until early 2028.
Finland F-35 Maiden Sortie
The pilot who conducted the maiden flight holds extensive experience on the F/A-18 Hornet, including service as a Hornet flight instructor and work on Hornet test flight projects. He described the F-35A’s performance as impressive from the moment the afterburner accelerated the jet down the runway at full power.
The controls, he noted, felt easy and intuitive throughout the sortie, a design feature that allows the pilot to focus on the mission rather than basic aircraft handling.
The single-seat configuration of the F-35A added a unique dimension to the first flight. Unlike the Hornet, which allows an instructor to sit alongside a student during initial sorties, the F-35A requires the pilot to fly solo from the outset. This makes simulator preparation especially critical. The pilot confirmed that simulator training prepared him well, and the transition from virtual to actual flight was smooth.
After landing, the pilot highlighted the visible cooperation between Finnish and American ground teams working together on the apron at Ebbing. He credited the successful maiden flight to the combined efforts of multiple personnel groups across both nations.
Training Pipeline in Florida and Arkansas
Finland’s first instructor section began the theoretical and simulator phase of F-35 initial training at Eglin Air Force Base (VPS) in February 2026. The instructor who became the first Finn to fly the F-35 described the coursework as busy and intense but ultimately rewarding.
Training has covered type-specific procedures, emergency protocols, and tactical flight operations that explore the new capabilities the F-35A brings to Finnish air defence.
The curriculum has allowed Finnish pilots to delve into operational scenarios that go well beyond basic aircraft handling. U.S. instructors leading the program bring deep experience and are well-accustomed to working with foreign students, ensuring an efficient knowledge transfer.
The training pace remains steady, though personnel acknowledge that learning will continue well beyond the initial qualification phase.
Fleet Delivery and Airworthiness Process
Eight Finnish F-35A fighters, carrying fuselage numbers JF-501 through JF-508, have been delivered to Ebbing Air Force Base. These aircraft will remain at the base for training purposes until early 2028.
Before any jet enters the flying program, personnel from the Finnish Air Force and the Defence Forces Logistics Department perform thorough airworthiness and acceptance checks.
Each aircraft receives an individual airworthiness certificate only after these inspections are completed successfully.
Aircraft numbered JF-509 and above will be delivered directly to Finland starting in autumn 2025. This shift from U.S.-based training deliveries to in-country arrivals signals the next phase of the program as Finland prepares its domestic infrastructure to support F-35 operations.
Operational Roadmap Through 2030
The first Finnish F-35 fighters will arrive at Rovaniemi Air Base (RVN) in Lapland during autumn 2026, where the Lapland Air Force will operate them.
Finland aims to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) with the F-35 system in early 2028, at which point the Lapland Air Force will transition exclusively to the type.
The Karelian Air Force will receive its first F-35 fighters during 2028. Full operational capability (FOC) across the Finnish Air Force is targeted for the end of 2030.
Until that date, Finland will operate a mixed fleet of F/A-18 Hornets and F-35A Lightning IIs in parallel, gradually phasing out the legacy platform as new aircraft and trained crews become available.
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