Finland’s first F-35A multirole fighter arrives at Ebbing Air National Guard Base

The ferry flight of JF-501 from Lockheed Martin, Texas, to the training base in Arkansas begins Finnish Air Force’s F-35 fighter deliveries.

JF-501 took off at Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas, on 20 January around 10.30 am local time. The ferry flight was flown by Major Cole “Laser” Kingsbery, US Air Force. At Ebbing Air National Guard Base (Ebbing ANGB) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, welcoming the aircraft among others was Colonel Tuukka Elonheimo, Chief of the Foreign Liaison Office of the Finnish F-35 Programme.

– This is a historic day for the Finnish Air Force. The arrival of JF-501 at Ebbing ANGB is a great milestone for our F-35 capability introduction and marks the official delivery of Finland’s F-35 fighters. The initial training on the F-35 in the US further strengthens our air forces' cooperation and provides a solid foundation for our defence. The knowledge and support we have received from our US partners have been outstanding, as has their hospitality, says Colonel Elonheimo.

The aircraft JF-501 conducted its maiden flight on 8 December 2025 as part of factory test flights and was presented to the public at a festive rollout ceremony on 16 December. After the factory ground and flight tests, the US Defense Contract Management Agency, DCMA, conducted test flights of its own. Having passed these tests, the aircraft transferred first to US Government and further to Finnish ownership on 23 December. The aircraft was entered into the Finnish Military Aircraft Register on 8 January. Before flight operations on the F-35 commence, the Military Aviation Authority will grant type certification to the aircraft, and the Finnish Air Force will execute air worthiness inspections on all of its F-35 fighters as they are delivered.

During this spring, the first Finnish F-35s, Joint Fighters (JF), will be introduced into service with the Finnish Air Force at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in the practical part of the F-35 initial training. The first eight fighters to be completed for Finland will be delivered to Ebbing ANGB. Aircraft with registration numbers from JF-509 will be delivered directly to Finland beginning in late 2026. 

F-35 initial training in the US lays the foundation for operational use in Finland

The Air Force sends pilots, aircraft maintenance personnel and personnel involved with F-35 data systems to the training in detachments. Approximately 150 Finnish personnel will receive F-35 initial training in the United States. This includes about 80 maintenance personnel, 20 pilots, and 50 other trainees. Other training will cover areas such as F-35 information systems, fleet management, logistics, mission support, flight equipment maintenance, and ground equipment.

– The international F-35 training will serve as a basis for our pilots and maintainers, enabling them to build expertise on the F-35 that will be shared with the rest of our personnel in Finland. The valuable insights and networks gained during training in the US will provide an excellent foundation for the continued use of our Joint Fighter, safeguarding Finland and its allies for decades to come, Elonheimo says. 

The first contingent of aircraft maintenance personnel, began training in September 2025 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The first contingent of pilots will start their training in February. The completion of initial training for each rotation of maintenance personnel and pilots takes just under a year. The initial training for Finnish personnel in the United States will continue until the early part of 2028. When the initial training of the Air Force personnel comes to an end in the United States, the eight JFs (JF-501–JF-508) used in the training will be ferried to Finland. 

•    Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB), Florida: The F-35 system theoretical and simulator training is provided at the F-35 Academic Training Center at Eglin AFB. Eglin AFB is also where US Air Force aircraft maintenance personnel are trained to maintain the F-35 among other aircraft, and where F-35 user countries receive theoretical and simulator training on the system.

•    Ebbing Air National Guard Base (Ebbing ANGB), Fort Smith, Arkansas: After completing the theoretical and simulator training phase in Florida, the Finnish personnel will move on to practical training at Ebbing ANGB. The base also trains F-35 personnel from Poland, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore. After the practical training at Ebbing, the personnel who have completed the initial F-35 training will return to Finland and begin training Finnish personnel in operating the aircraft.

Read more about the F-35 capability: The F-35 Programme - Puolustusvoimat - The Finnish Defence Forces