Finland’s First F-35A Lightning II Arrives at Ebbing Air Base

Finland’s F-35A Lightning II training programme begins at Ebbing

Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II fighter arrived at Ebbing Air Base in the United States on 20 January 2026, formally launching the training programme for Finnish Air Force pilots and technical personnel on this fifth-generation weapons system.

The aircraft’s arrival begins a training process scheduled to run for the next two years. Approximately 20 Finnish pilots are expected to take part in the programme, which is due to conclude in February 2028. Operational training on the F-35A will start in May 2026 and will combine academic instruction, simulator work and live flying.

Colonel Nicholas “Matrix” Ihde, commander of the 85th Fighter Group, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome our Finnish partners to Ebbing. This programme is about more than simply training; it is about building strong relationships and reinforcing our collective deterrence. Training Finnish pilots here alongside our forces strengthens interoperability and sends a powerful message of unity.”

From the Finnish side, Colonel Elonheimo, head of the Finnish F-35 Programme’s Foreign Liaison Office and the country’s principal representative at the event, stated: “This is a historic day for the Finnish Air Force. Receiving our first F-35 and beginning our training here at Ebbing is a crucial step towards improving interoperability and strengthening our nation’s deterrence and defence capabilities.” He also thanked the United States for its support, noting that the joint programme would provide comprehensive training for both pilots and technicians.

Pilot and technical training for the F-35A

The training will be delivered by the United States Air Force’s 57th Fighter Squadron, a unit dedicated specifically to instructing international partners under the F-35 Foreign Military Sales framework. The programme will use several locations: pilots will complete their academic and simulator phases at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida before undertaking flight training in the Fort Smith airspace in Arkansas.

At the same time, Finnish Air Force maintenance personnel will attend training programmes at Ebbing, working alongside Interim Contract Support (ICS) technicians. This phase is intended to ensure that the Finnish Air Force has the capabilities required to operate and maintain its F-35As once the aircraft are transferred to Finland.

First Finnish F-35A follows December 2025 rollout

The F-35A’s arrival at Ebbing follows the official unveiling in December 2025 of the first aircraft destined for Finland at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility. Identified as “JF-501”, the aircraft had previously completed its maiden test flight at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, marking a key milestone in the programme to acquire 64 F-35As as replacements for the Finnish Air Force’s current F/A-18 Hornets.

With this development, Finland continues to implement its F-35 programme, combining the gradual delivery of aircraft with the training of the personnel needed for their future operation.

Images obtained from DVIDS.