Finnish pilot completes first F-35 fighter jet flight

A Finnish Air Force pilot has flown an F-35 Lightning II fighter jet for the first time, marking a significant milestone in Finland’s adoption of the fifth-generation aircraft, the Air Force announced on Wednesday.

The flight took place at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in the United States, according to a statement posted on the social media platform X. The Air Force described the event as a key step in integrating Finland’s F-35 capabilities.

Authorities did not disclose the identity of the pilot. In November, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported that Lieutenant Colonel Lasse Louhela, who leads the Finnish pilot training group, had expressed confidence in being among the first to fly the F-35.