# Finnish F-35 pilot flies first mission with European allies

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: Air · Country: finland
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/finnish-f-35-pilot-flies-first-mission-with-european-allies.md)
- Primary source: https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/-/finnish-air-force-to-cooperate-more-closely-with-european-f-35-users
- Tags: f-35, finland, capacity on call, norge, nato, finnish air force, f-35a, norwegian air force, danish air force, royal netherlands air force, belgian air force, united states air force, ørland air base, danmark, nederländerna, belgium, usa, fin, nor

> On 17 September 2026, a Finnish F-35A pilot flew in Europe for the first time, as part of a six-nation mission over Ørland Air Base in Norway together with pilots from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States. The flight marks a concrete step in Finland's "Capacity on Call" agreement on closer F-35 fleet cooperation between the countries.

![A Finnish F-35 pilot flying for the first time in Europe with a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jet at Ørland Air Base, Norway](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/ba546a43-1f2d-42cf-6137-df6d6cf04400/public)
*A Finnish F-35 pilot flying for the first time in Europe with a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jet at Ørland Air Base, Norway · Sindre Fjerdingby Korsviken, Forsvaret*

**On 17 September 2026, a Finnish Air Force pilot [flew an](https://ilmavoimat.fi/en/-/finnish-air-force-to-cooperate-more-closely-with-european-f-35-users) F-35A in Europe for the first time, joining a six-nation mission over Ørland Air Base in Norway with pilots from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States, the Finnish Air Force said.**

The flight was a first step under Finland's "Capacity on Call" memorandum of understanding with Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium, signed last year. It lets pilots, ground crews and munitions move across the participating countries' air forces.

Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, deputy chief of staff at Air Force Command Finland, called the flight "a concrete step towards closer cooperation" that will become "part of our daily operations" as Finland's F-35s enter service.

Mikko Mönkkönen, Finland's Defence Attaché to Norway, Denmark and Iceland, said [on X](https://x.com/MikkoMnkknen2/status/2100672564267733335) that the flight is "significant, since [Finland and Norway's] Air Forces are almost combined and interoperable".

## FAQ

**When did a Finnish F-35 pilot first fly a mission with European allies?**

A Finnish Air Force pilot flew an F-35A over Ørland Air Base in Norway on 17 September 2026, marking the first such flight in Europe for Finland. The mission followed this year's Weapons Instructor Course, which began in May at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

**What is Finland's 'Capacity on Call' memorandum of understanding?**

The 'Capacity on Call' memorandum, signed last year between Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium, allows pilots, ground crews and munitions to move across the four countries' F-35 fleets. The September 2026 flight was described as a first step under this agreement. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

**Which countries took part in the six-nation F-35 mission over Ørland Air Base?**

The mission over Ørland Air Base involved pilots from Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States. Colonel Vesa Mäntylä called the flight 'a concrete step towards closer cooperation' that will become part of daily operations as Finland's F-35s enter service. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-22.

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