Major Cole “Laser” Kingsbery, USAF, flew airframe JF-501 to Ebbing ANGB, Arkansas where it will be used to train Finnish personnel ahead of F-35s arriving in Finland later in 2026.
Just over a month after the first F-35A Lightning II for the Finnish Air Force took to the skies, the same airframe has kicked off an effort that will see 150 members of the Finnish Air Force – 20 pilots, 80 maintenance technicians, and 50 other personnel – receive training on the type from experienced U.S. Air Force instructors from the 57th Fighter Squadron (FS). Military personnel from Poland, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore are already with the 57th FS at Ebbing for similar training.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome our Finnish partners to Ebbing,” said Col. Nicholas “Matrix” Ihde, Commander of the 85th Fighter Group, which is the parent unit of the 57th FS. “This program is about more than just training; it’s about building foundational relationships and enhancing our collective deterrence. Having the Finnish pilots train here, alongside our forces, strengthens interoperability and sends a powerful message of unity.”
Finland’s very first F-35A, #JF501, arrived at Ebbing ANGB in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on 20 January. This spring, the first Finnish Joint Fighters (JF) will enter service at the base as part of the practical phase of the F-35 initial training. 🇫🇮🇺🇸#ilmavoimat #F35programme #F35 pic.twitter.com/rlireQmqZo
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) January 20, 2026
Eight F-35As eventually destined for Finland will remain in the U.S. to support this ongoing training programme, which is scheduled to draw to a close in early 2028. Airframes JF-501 to JF-508 will then be ferried across the Atlantic to join aircraft (JF-509 onwards) already delivered directly to the country. These deliveries to Finland are due to begin in late 2026.
“This is a historic day for the Finnish Air Force,” said Col. Elonheimo, chief of the Foreign Liaison Office of the Finnish F-35 Programme, who welcomed the aircraft’s arrival in person. “Taking delivery of our first F-35 and beginning our training here at Ebbing is a critical step in enhancing interoperability and strengthening our nation’s deterrence and defense capabilities. We are grateful to our American partners for their outstanding support and hospitality. This US-led international F-35 joint training will forge a stronger-than-ever partnership and ensure our pilots and maintainers are masters of this exceptional aircraft, safeguarding our sovereignty for decades to come.”
Initial training for Finnish personnel commenced in September 2025 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Eglin AFB houses the F-35 Academic Training Center, where both pilots and maintenance crews receive type-specific training. Pilot training will begin from February 2026.
ICYMI: Finland’s first F-35 didn’t just roll out — it flew. ⚡
The aircraft successfully completed its first flight earlier this month. 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/zBRYABvIQK
— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) December 31, 2025
Although nominally assigned to a USAF squadron, the ownership of JF-501 was fully transferred to Finland on Dec. 23, 2025 and officially joined Finland’s military aircraft register on Jan. 8, 2026. As is standard practice, each airframe will be inspected for airworthiness by Finnish personnel and the type as a whole will be certified by Finland’s Military Aviation Authority.
Finland’s F-35 Order
Finland announced its order for the F-35A Lightning II in December 2021, beating out strong competition from the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen, and a joint offer by Boeing of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers.
64 F-35As will replace Finland’s current fleet of F/A-18C/D Hornets, which were ordered in 1992. The initial Hornet order was also for 64 airframes, which means that, unlike many other nations procuring the F-35, Finland is aiming for a one-for-one replacement of legacy aircraft.
Lapland Air Wing is preparing to receive Finland’s first F-35 fighter jets by the end of 2026. The facilities and structures being built at Rovaniemi Air Base will enable the F-35 system to be used in accordance with the Finnish Air Force’s operational principles. pic.twitter.com/0iVBr02eUa
— Lapin lennosto – Lapland Air Wing (@Laplsto) October 4, 2024
The first Finnish F-35 unit will be HävLLv 11 (11 Squadron) of the Lapland Air Wing, based at Rovaniemi Airport. The Kuopio Airport based Karelia Air Wing in southeast Finland will then receive its jets from 2028. Initial operating capability (IOC) is expected to be declared in 2027, with full operating capability (FOC) scheduled to be declared alongside the withdrawal of the Hornet in 2030.
Now part of NATO and taking part in the alliance’s air policing missions both at home and in other countries, Finland’s F-35s will likely see ‘frontline’ use very soon after delivery. As a nation bordering Russia and the Baltic Sea, Finland is optimally located to monitor, shadow, and if necessary, intercept Russian aircraft heading towards NATO airspace.
The Finnish Air Force fighter detachment has started Quick Reaction Alert duty at Keflavík Air Base in Iceland.
🇫🇮 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets have taken on the #NATO 🇮🇸 Air Policing mission for the first time as a member of the Alliance.#ilmavoimat #WeAreNATO @NATO_AIRCOM pic.twitter.com/QCDxdv8Pb4
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) February 3, 2025
For air defence missions, Finland’s F-35s will be able to utilise the Finnish Air Force’s existing stocks of AIM-9X Sidewinders as well as newly contracted AIM-120D-3 AMRAAMs.
