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5.6.2026 | The exercise, taking place in June 2-28 2026, is part of the cooperation between the Karelia Brigade and the Virginia National Guard under the official partnership program between Finland and Virginia National Guard.

5.6.2026 | The exercise, taking place in June 2-28 2026, is part of the cooperation between the Karelia Brigade and the Virginia National Guard under the official partnership program between Finland and Virginia National Guard.

5.6.2026 | The exercise, taking place in June 2-28 2026, is part of the cooperation between the Karelia Brigade and the Virginia National Guard under the official partnership program between Finland and Virginia National Guard.

16.4.2026 | All brigade-level units of the Army will rehearse joint operating with allied countries’ contingents in the course of May. Several exercises executed simultaneously are aimed at strengthening the Army’s defence capability across Finland, conscripts’ know-how and joint operating with Allies. During the spring, a total of approximately 19,000 allied soldiers from Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, France, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Hungary and Poland will take part in the exercises.

22.5.2026 | The Finnish Air Force conducted an evaluation of a cyber team composed of active-duty personnel and reservists together with the Virginia Air National Guard in April 2026.

22.5.2026 | The Finnish Air Force conducted an evaluation of a cyber team composed of active-duty personnel and reservists together with the Virginia Air National Guard in April 2026.

Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces is General Janne Jaakkola

28.5.2026 | The Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki inspected exercise Karelian Sword 26 hosted by the Commander of Karelia Brigade, Colonel Tomi Pekurinen.

8.5.2026 | The Karelian Brigade will lead the Karelian Sword 26 exercise in the regions of Kymenlaakso, South Savo and South Karelia from 22 to 29 May 2026.

10.4.2025 | Finland organized the annual NORDEFCO meeting of Nordic Chiefs of Defence at the Joint Force Command in Norfolk, Virginia from 9 to 10 April 2025.

22.4.2026 | The Finnish Defence Forces participated in cyber defence exercise Locked Shields 26 in a joint team with the National Defence Training Association NDTA, Estonia and the United States. Constantly changing cyber threats do not know national borders, so training together and developing the cyber capability is increasingly important.

16.4.2026 | All brigade-level units of the Army will rehearse joint operating with allied countries’ contingents in the course of May. Several exercises executed simultaneously are aimed at strengthening the Army’s defence capability across Finland, conscripts’ know-how and joint operating with Allies. During the spring, a total of approximately 19,000 allied soldiers from Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, France, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Hungary and Poland will take part in the exercises.

12.2.2026 | The local defence exercise ”Karelian Stone 26” will be held in areas of Lappeenranta, Taipalsaari, Savitaipale, and Imatra during 2–6 March 2026.

12.2.2026 | The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.

12.2.2026 | The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.

5.2.2025 | The Adjutant General of Virginia, Major General James W. Ring, visited Finland on 3-4 February 2025. The visit was hosted by the Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki.

18.8.2025 | The Karelia Brigade will lead the Karelian Stronghold 25 local defense exercise in the Kymenlaakso region in the areas of Kotka, Hamina, and Kouvola during 1.-5. September 2025.

12.2.2026 | The local defence exercise ”Karelian Stone 26” will be held in areas of Lappeenranta, Taipalsaari, Savitaipale, and Imatra during 2–6 March 2026.

12.2.2026 | The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.

14.9.2025 | Finland is honored to receive an Ally for a port visit. United States Navy’s Aegis guided-missile destroyer, USS Bainbridge, will moor at Hernesaari port in Helsinki on Sept 14 2025. The vessel will not be open to the public during this routine call.