air
Protective Fence 25 gathers 50 aircraft
Protective Fence 25 is the largest air exercise of the autumn in Finland, where approximately 1,200 soldiers and 50 aircraft, including Swedish and Danish forces, participate to strengthen defense capabilities through air operations and dispersed deployment. The exercise is coordinated by the Joint Expeditionary Force and includes activities across large parts of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia.
From September 22 to 26, Protective Fence 25, the largest air exercise of the fall, is conducted in Finland. The exercise gathers approximately 1,200 soldiers and around 50 aircraft, including 30 Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
– During the exercise, we conduct air operations with a variety of aircraft from dispersed formations, in accordance with our combat methods, says Colonel Vesa Mäntylä, the Air Force's Chief of Operations and exercise leader.
The goal is to strengthen the Air Force's defense capability and readiness by practicing dispersed formations and air operations in different parts of the country. In addition to the four main bases, the airports in Oulu, Vaasa, and Kokkola-Pietarsaari, as well as the Kallax airbase in Luleå, are participating.
– From the Swedish side, we contribute with several different Air Force units. We have F 21 and F 7 participating with combat aircraft, both in Sweden and Finland, but also the Air Combat School, Air Staff, and F 16 contribute with ground personnel. From F 7, we also have transport aircraft on site in Pirkkala, says Major Erik Bergqvist, deputy exercise leader for the force from the Norrbotten Air Wing, now on site in Oulu.
In addition to Finland, Sweden and Denmark are also participating, including with JAS 39 Gripen and C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Finnish Army's air defense and helicopter units, as well as troops from the border guard, are also part of the exercise.
Protective Fence 25 is coordinated with the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and its exercise series TARASSIS, which is ongoing in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions during the fall.
The flight operations are primarily directed to the area between Rovaniemi, Kajaani, Kuopio, Jyväskylä, and Vaasa, as well as over the Gulf of Bothnia. The exercise also includes low-level flying, supersonic flying at a minimum altitude of 10 kilometers, and the use of flares and chaff as part of the aircraft's self-protection systems.