First Finnish Air Force F-35A Lightning II Arrives at Ebbing Air National Guard Base
DEFENSE
The first Finnish Air Force F-35A Lightning II arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base on January 20, 2026. Approximately 20 FINAF pilots will train over two years, with the program concluding by February 2028.
Training will start in May 2026 and includes academics and simulator training at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, followed by live flight training in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Finnish maintenance personnel will also receive training at Ebbing to prepare for F-35 maintenance in Finland.
Jan 22, 2026, 6:23 AM
