Finnish Air Force begins F-35 maintenance training in United States as rollout nears

“Eglin provides excellent conditions for F-35 initial training. A large number of personnel are trained there – thousands of students have already been through the training programme. We will receive very high-quality training here,” said Lieutenant Colonel Takalo.

Until now, the group has been carrying out regular duties within the Finnish Air Force maintenance organisation. Takalo, who has spent the past year organising the training, noted: “We have had a huge number of planning meetings and other arrangements. We have built the entity piece by piece. It is great to be at the point where all the pieces are starting to fall into place, and we are able to begin the actual initial training.”

The six-month programme at Eglin combines theoretical and simulator training with practical exercises on dedicated training equipment. Maintenance trainees practise tasks such as engine maintenance procedures and arming the aircraft, with all actions carefully recorded in training databases.

After completing the Florida phase, the Finnish personnel will move to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for practical training. “The final phase of the initial training involves practical training on the F-35 fighters at Ebbing in Arkansas. There we will work within Lockheed Martin’s maintenance organisation, carrying out the training as members of their team. The training path thus progresses from general to specific and culminates in training on the actual aircraft,” Takalo explained.

The personnel will return to Finland after training to instruct others in the operation of the F-35 system. “We will start soon after our return to Finland. In fact, we are building our national training system during our time in the United States. During the initial training we will observe and plan how to provide conversion training for FDF personnel and conscripts at home,” said Takalo.

Reservists will also undergo conversion training as part of refresher exercises. “The planning of the tasks in which reservists will be employed with the F-35 is still ongoing and progressing as part of our force structure work. Some of the reservists’ duties may change somewhat, but they will continue to be employed in many F-35 maintenance roles, such as line maintenance, loading and other support tasks,” Takalo noted.

The F-35 training is taking place as Finland prepares for its first aircraft deliveries. The first F-35A fighters will arrive at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi in the latter half of 2026. Finland’s first aircraft, JF-501, will be unveiled at a rollout ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility on 16 December, with the first eight aircraft delivered to Ebbing before subsequent jets are transferred directly to Finland.

Takalo stressed the wider importance of the programme: “International cooperation has been part of the Air Force’s activities for over twenty years, and today it is part of everyday life at the squadron level. The introduction of the F-35 will further extend this collaboration. That is the direction we are heading.”

Source: Finnish Air Force (press release).