Those efforts culminated on Dec. 16, when AFOSI PJ leaders attended the rollout of the Finnish Air Force’s first F-35A at an industry partner site in Fort Worth, Texas. “Protecting advanced technology is inseparable from maintaining deterrence,” said Special Agent Lee Russ, executive director of AFOSI PJ, adding that, “Our involvement supports the secure delivery of capabilities without compromising national security.”
AFOSI PJ became involved when Finland was named a potential Foreign Military Sales customer and formally engaged after the signing of a Letter of Offer and Acceptance granting access to U.S. Special Access Programs. The office supported milestones including validating personnel access, vetting media, advising on counterintelligence risks, and supporting F-35 demonstrations at Hill Air Force Base and Luke Air Force Base in 2020.
For personnel involved, the rollout marked the culmination of years of work. “For me, [the event] was new because I’m normally in the background,” said Special Agent Gabriela Miller, Special Agent in Charge of AFOSI PJ Detachment 9, noting that seeing the aircraft delivered to a partner nation “deepens the appreciation for our team’s collaborative efforts.”
Special Agent Aaron Garcia, who leads counterintelligence, security and cyber professionals at AFOSI PJ Detachment 9, Operating Locations Bravo, said his team worked closely with U.S. services, international allies, industry partners and law enforcement. “I operationally lead a team of highly skilled counterintelligence, security and cyber professionals tasked with executing these safeguards and coordinating a joint global security effort,” Garcia said.
AFOSI PJ also vetted Finnish personnel, accredited secure facilities, supported training environments in the United States and helped train Finnish security professionals to protect sensitive information. “The production line is more than a mile long, with parts coming from all over the world,” said Jennifer Rivas, a programme security officer for AFOSI PJ Detachment 9, adding that securing the supply chain requires constant coordination with partners.
The first F-35 is scheduled for delivery to Finland in early 2026 and will initially be based at Ebbing Air Force Base, Arkansas, for pilot training. Finland plans to acquire 64 F-35As, forming the largest Lightning II fleet in northern Europe, with the first aircraft expected to arrive in the country the following year.
From AFOSI PJ’s perspective, missions like this support wider U.S. security objectives, Russ said. “Upholding national security information is fundamental to maintaining deterrence,” he added, stating that protecting technologies such as the F-35 helps ensure their effectiveness for the United States and its allies.
