Marine fighter jet deploys to Finland for first time, landing on highway

Marine fighter jet deploys to Finland for first time, landing on highway

The exercise demonstrates how NATO allies can extend their combat capabilities by operating from locations outside traditional airfields.

F-35s Land On Highway in Finland

JUNE 17, 2026 – In a historic first, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA-224), successfully conducted landing and takeoff operations on a highway strip in Tervo, Finland. The event, which took place from June 8-12, 2026, also marked the first time Polish and Spanish Air Force aircraft operated from a Finnish roadway. The event also comes on the heels of the canceled deployment …

US Marine Corps F-35Bs Perform First Finnish Road Runway Operations At Ramstein Flag 26

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth aircraft have conducted road runway operations in Finland for the first time at the ongoing Ramstein Flag 26 NATO exercise. F-35Bs of VMFA-224 used the Tervo highway landing strip during the exercise, with the Finnish Air Force saying it allowed the “Fighting Bengals” to learn about the Finnish Air Force’s dispersed operations concept. In addition to the F-35Bs, Polish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons …

U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs conduct first highway operations in Finland with allied aircraft during Ramstein Flag 2026

The training included the first U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II landing and takeoff from a Finnish highway strip. It also marked the first deployment of U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs to Finland and the first time Polish and Spanish Air Force aircraft operated from a Finnish roadway. U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224 trained alongside Spanish F/A-18s and Polish F-16s. Forward arming and refueling support was provide…