Crowds queue to see Chinook helicopter at Kajaani airport open day
Residents of Kajaani turned out in large numbers on Monday afternoon to inspect NATO ally and Finnish Defence Forces equipment at Kajaani Airport, as reported by Yle. The event was organised by the Kainuu Brigade in connection with an ongoing series of combat exercises in the region.
The clear highlight of the day was the American CH-47 Chinook twin-rotor transport helicopter, which drew long queues. US soldiers guided groups of around ten visitors at a time through the aircraft, explaining its basic features and allowing the public inside. Captain Kevin Ouimette, who said he has been flying Chinooks for three years, told visitors the aircraft type has been in US Army service since the 1960s and is expected to remain operational until 2060.
US military helicopters have been a frequent sight in the skies over the Kajaani area, particularly between Paltaniemi in Kajaani and the Vuosanka military training area near Kuhmo, where troops have been transferred for exercises.
The series of combat exercises began in early May. The current exercise, Rock Sisu, which started this week, is the first time allied forces have trained in Finland without Finnish troops present. It involves 950 soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, and Hungary. A drone exercise is also under way at the Vuosanka training area, with 120 operators flying unmanned aerial vehicles of various sizes, including the Israeli-made Orbiter 2b mini drone.
The larger Northern Star exercise, involving 4,500 soldiers including Finnish and French forces, is scheduled to begin on 25 May.
Major Kari Saukkonen of the Kainuu Brigade said the public event was a natural response to the visible and audible presence of the exercises. “The exercises are seen and heard, so this way people can also get to know the equipment of our partner nations,” he said.
Horns, heavy vehicles and military dogs
Antti Koskelo brought his son Viljami to the event. “The kid gets to see things, which is important for his development too. The weather came as if ordered, and the sense of community here is great,” Koskelo said. Viljami was particularly drawn to the Finnish Defence Forces’ tracked trucks and the US heavy vehicles, whose horns visitors were allowed to sound. Asked what it sounded like, Viljami kept it simple: “It sounded like a honk.”
Warrant Officer Mira Salminen attended with Urvis, a four-year-old military service dog. Salminen estimated several hundred people passed through the event, meaning no shortage of hands eager to pet the dog. “Children may be encountering a large dog for the first time at an event like this,” she said. Four service dogs from the Kainuu Brigade were present, including one puppy still in training. Salminen said the most common questions from the public were about the dogs’ names and what happens to them when their service ends.