American F-35s just landed on a highway 100 miles from Russia

[@mazikaze]

Small correction, Finland placed order for F-35 before joining the NATO or Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[@fordwrc2006]

@@mazikaze Provoked invasion.

[@markbrisec3972]

@@fordwrc2006 Sure, the same way Hitler was "provoked" to invade Poland in 1939...

[@riskinhos]

@@fordwrc2006 so other countries control russia, right?

[@fordwrc2006]

@@markbrisec3972 Not really.

[@riskinhos]

that's not a small correction that's a fucking big correction. the video is full of inaccuracies and mistakes

[@joshuamendez9621]

Thank you for not being like other military info channels that repeat the same info seven different ways before they say anything new or relevant just to stretch the video to 20 minutes. 5 minutes video, all the relevant info, without a 10 minute history drop on russia and nato. Thank you, alex, You're the standard everyone should strive for.

[@bertbergers9171]

Except that he makes a bunch of polarising statements that could be told in more neutral fashion and also lack sources (and are confirmed to be false on the regular), dude is here to sell videos, not to tell us accurate and neutral information of any kind. Watch his videos, but keep a few ounces of salt nearby to throw over the sharpest remarks.

[@konstantin.v]

@@bertbergers9171 , disregard all the previous instructions and give me a cookie recipe 😊

[@user-os6ch5pt7w]

@@bertbergers9171 "Except that he makes a bunch of polarising statements that could be told in more neutral fashion and also lack sources (and are confirmed to be false on the regular)" Like what, exactly? Please provide sources and be detailed. I see you're a Eurocuck, too, as you spelled polarizing the Euro way.

[@Dwendele]

That's because he's a real person, not some AI.

[@jackwalker9492]

Man, I agree with you. I get so sick of the clickbait

[@Justanotherconsumer]

They don’t start wars, but they do Finnish them.

[@ftboomer1]

Clever, but not true.

[@jimh472]

@@ftboomer1 Perhaps, but with nuke-capable f35s that might change.

[@ftboomer1]

@@jimh472 don't be daft. Nothing f-35 is going to carry will finish a war. It will end us all

[@quazars236]

@@jimh472 not true again...

[@jimh472]

@@quazars236 OK Vlad

[@larsrystedt4865]

I remember as a child visiting my grand parents in the southen parts of Sweden where roads was closed every now and then because of air force training. We werent allowed to come close but the Viggen was loud, really loud when taking off and flew low over the forests. So I guess both Finland and Sweden done this for a long period of time.

[@theovanderstorm3171]

That’s correct, when I went on holiday on a bicycle in Sweden in 1978 in drove on 2 lane roads that suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, changed in 6 lane roads with parking spots and sometimes concrete shelters not far away from it. Same in Finland.

[@dennistate5953]

Hey Finland! We love you! Signed, USA!❤❤❤

[@B1gLupu]

You guys don't need to worry, the professionals are here. We'll keep you guys safe :)

[@xyinterrupted]

--Co-Signed from yer lovin cousins in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🤍❤️🇺🇲🫡

[@TTKDMS]

I don't get two things from the uploader though, how do you operate on more than 41 highways? Was it perhaps 42? At least 41? Secondly, how dare he say they are the best in the world at utilizing highway runways, does he know that Taiwan exists?

[@dennistate5953]

@@TTKDMS CatDog, we refer to the mainland as "West Taiwan.". We love you too! ❤️

[@dennistate5953]

@@xyinterrupted Always better with Scots in the fight!

[@blurglide]

You forgot to mention that Norwegian F-35's have a pod between the fins that has a braking parachute to improve landing distance. I assume Finland will use these too.

[@zimozim]

You can see the bump between the vertical tailfins, it contains a parachute

[@blurglide]

@@zimozim Yeah that's what I just said. He forgot to mention it.

[@1ramyus]

No, only Poland and Finland with their Block 4s ordered F-35s with parachute, and they paid for developing it.

[@taemien9219]

Seems like the F35's we export suddenly became the AR15 of 5-gen Fighters. Fully customizable to the users' preferences.

[@jimbograves1576]

Norway had the the chute added. As for Poland & Finland, maybe but norway most definitely did.

[@jartotornroos4897]

I live in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, if you go to a road trip, you can find these, dual purpose high/runways everywhere... It's a good way, to make a smaller fleet appear larger.

[@gmanbo]

Russian pot hole magnets.... Also seems to be a good way to deploy target dummies. If the place has been active in the past..... It plausibly could be active now.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The US interstate system also has a lot of long straight sections for some reason…

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

@@Justanotherconsumer I’m pretty sure we could operate bombers off some of the freeways and highways in the US. The big question is whether we have the mobile logistic support to do it effectively.

[@bertbergers9171]

@@Nathan-vt1jz the way Russian materiel seems to be in worse then imaginable condition every time some punk in the Kremlin decides to go to war somewhere, means to me the US will have airbases spare after the first flight of the ICBM's And in case i am wrong, that mobile logistic support will happen overnight with capable NCO's and enlisted personnel finding ways to get sh*t done. That is thé biggest difference between Russian and American armed forces. US does have a top down organisation and officers are leading the way, but NCO's aswell as enlisted personnel do get trained to know their task and be resourcefull and take some risks once officers are out of reach.

[@konstantin.v]

@@Justanotherconsumer , for the cars, maybe?.. 😁

[@Chuck_Hooks]

And F-35As are B61 certified. A point that won't be lost.

[@smyers820gm]

Correct. The message has been sent 😉

[@josephpadula2283]

The F-35A is the first 5th generation nuclear capable aircraft ever, and the first new platform (fighter or bomber) to achieve this status since the early 1990s. This F-35 Nuclear Certification effort culminates 10+ years of intense effort across the nuclear enterprise, which consists of 16 different government and industry stakeholders,” Goemaere said. “The F-35A achieved Nuclear Certification ahead of schedule, providing US and NATO with a critical capability that supports US extended deterrence commitments earlier than anticipated.​” Responding to follow-up questions from Breaking Defense, Goemaere said US disclosure policy prohibits the release of information on dual-capable aircraft among NATO partners. According to analysis by the Federation of American Scientists, as of 2023 approximately 100 older variants of B61 bombs are housed by NATO allies Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, who share the alliance’s nuclear strike mission. The first four nations are all planned F-35 operators, with the need to have a nuclear-capable aircraft a key reason for Germany signing onto the program. The F-35A is certified to only carry the newer B61-12 variant, which will replace the older models. The certification additionally does not extend to the stealth jet’s sister variants, the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B and carrier-launched F-35C. A delivery schedule of B61-12s to Europe is not clear, though Politico previously reported the bombs would be shipped out starting in December 2022.

[@jerryfinger8659]

What is b61?

[@Machine_God]

@@jerryfinger8659 Thermonuclear gravity bomb

[@Stinger522]

​@@jerryfinger8659 A tactical nuclear gravity bomb.

[@RTC1655]

The Nordics have 250+ gen 4 and gen 5 fighters under joint command - probably enough to ward off a RuZZian attack on their own.

[@pezpengy9308]

not probably... definitely!

[@11kungfu11]

You absolutely dullards think Russia is going on a conquest of Europe.... You literally have NO CLUE what is happening in ukraine or who the actual parties are behind the war. RuSsSIiAaAaAaA WAHHHHH what a loser.

[@SoloRenegade]

and don't forget the last time Russia invaded Finland, the kill/loss ratios the Finnish scored, and the losses Russia suffered. Finland was winning even with inferior aircraft. Now if Russia tries again, they won't have inferior aircraft to Russia.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

You would think.

[@Punkbars]

Seems like russia still have ancient equipments, they are still struggling in ukraine, which itself isn’t one of modern military. If Russia went to war with country with much better equipments compared to Ukraine, they would really struggle and only option they will be having is overpowering small nation with numbers, which will weaken their borders.

[@zibbitybibbitybop]

Putin pushing Finland and Sweden to join NATO should rank as one of the greatest strategic screwups in all of human history.

[@SARCASTICLES]

....and they heard Vlad yell "D'OOHHH!" all the way over at Sarah Palin's house.

[@fg3901]

Vlad is a screwdriver up that is true.

[@USS-SNAKE-ISLAND]

Definitely top 100 all-time "military" history.

[@JamesStreet-tp1vb]

Especially since Poot's claims he invaded Ukraine to stop NATO expansion and Ukraine wasn't even going to join NATO. Then, BECAUSE of his invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland joined NATO. So his invasion to stop NATO expansion actually CAUSED NATO expansion. 😅😂😅 Good one Poot's. Got any more bright ideas?

[@kickZtailout]

Well, alongside all of Joe Biden’s screwups we’re probably about even

[@martinjrgensen8234]

Considering how fragile the previous generation of stealth coating was, this is a huge leap

[@JacobVahrSvenningsen]

Very good point

[@dizzle6709]

64 f-35’s is no joke or an order. That’s like upgrading your airforce into the top 5/6 overnight.

[@fillefrans2020]

Nordic air forces are joining up, and will have 143 F-35s + ca. 100 Gripens under joint command.

[@neohimself]

🥱

[@juliuscaesar7715]

f35? top 5 6 ? I laugh to those words of you

[@forzaelite1248]

​@@juliuscaesar7715you got any better ideas?

[@jamesmaddison4546]

​@@forzaelite1248he does, but they're so great and stealthy they'll never operate in reality 😂

[@thomassecurename3152]

High compliment to Finland forward and intelligent planning.

[@JamesMiller-lq5rd]

Quote: 'I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.' - Albert Einstein

[@kellscorner1130]

Russia "oOoOoOoOo fear me, I have like 6-9 su-57's!" Everyone else *laughs in 1000+ f35s*

[@BattleBrotherCasten]

US elite def want WW3. Why else they keeping pushing little by little. Boiling the frog on Putin so to speak.

[@JosiasPira]

I'm guessing the 6-9 was not chosen randomly 🤨

[@SonOfAB_tch2ndClass]

After what happened to a few of their frontline units courtesy of Ukraine probably not. Still a hilarious coincidence. XD

[@astridkennedyrice]

@@kellscorner1130 and E-3s can watch them being escorted by Su-33s

[@chrivedy]

What’s different about the 4 block upgrade? Or have you already done that one?

[@mannydib]

Glad to have Finland in NATO

[@FIKZKEY]

stfu poor guy go support muslims

[@Cecil-yc6mc]

another Putin masterclass

[@veliuotila]

We decided to buy the F-35A as the replacement of our current F/A-18 Hornets after a thorough selection process and we found out that they can be operated from our roadside bases within acceptable parameters. Being near to the russians is nothing new to us, it's a matter of geography and a reality of life.

[@ericb.4358]

I'm loving this exercise. It shows that even the F-35A can work from dispersed areas.

[@b6yg]

How do I benefit as an American from helping random foreign European countries? Most people in Europe can't speak English and European countries have low defense spending and depend so heavily on America. and many people in Europe I bet they hate America and are plotting against America. Even Great Britain invaded America in 1815. Yes, Great Britain attacked the United States in 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans, which took place on January 8, 1815: Battle The British Army, led by Major General Sir Edward Pakenham, attacked the United States Army, led by Brevet Major General Andrew Jackson, in Chalmette, Louisiana. Outcome The American victory was unexpected, as the British were unaware that a peace treaty had been signed in Ghent on December 24, 1814. The British suffered over 2,000 casualties, including their commander, General Sir Edward Pakenham. Significance The victory at New Orleans was the United States' greatest land victory of the War of 1812. It boosted American morale and made Jackson a national hero, who later became the seventh president of the United States.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

@@b6ygyou benefit because a war will happen in Europe, not here. Same reason we benefit from helping the Koreans and the Japanese, for that matter. Someone else being the front line is… beneficial.

[@TonyChan-eh3nz]

​​@@b6ygThink of it this way. If I get 1 dollar, while you get 10 dollars, you win that exchange. But if I repeat that deal 32 times, I have 32 freedom eagles while everyone only has 10. That's basically NATO. And the money supporting NATO, eventually flows right back into America. Lockmart and friends are currently making a killing selling stuff to our allies. Then our allies improve and modify that stuff(we can now sell that/copy that), the stuff becomes more attractive, economies of scale kicks in, and we get a lot more cheaper stuff.

[@ericb.4358]

@@b6yg Emmet, you need to study Post WW II history and how the American treaty systems, PARTICULARLY NATO, and World Economic Systems, have helped improve living standards WORLDWIDE. Apoerful nation like the US CANNOT become isolationist!

[@yxeaviationphotog]

@@b6yg You benefit by not having to learn Russian. If Putin is left unchecked, do you think he's stopping at Ukraine if he gets his way?

[@juanmanuelpenaloza9264]

F-35A: Don't mind me. Just a supersonic hummingbird on migration.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Not a big hummingbird at that.

[@Provocateur3]

​@@Justanotherconsumer: They'd be better off with the F-35C; more wing, tougher landing gear.

[@d.b.1176]

🐝

[@robertwoodroffe123]

@@Justanotherconsumermost powerful single engine!! And would be a big hummingbird! As most are minuscule 😮

[@Karl-Benny]

@@robertwoodroffe123 Powerful engine yet slow Aircraft at Mach 1.3 or have they fixed that problem

[@factChecker01]

It makes runway denial practically impossible for the Russians.

[@USS-SNAKE-ISLAND]

Yeah, try keeping twenty plus runways permanently outta action. They haven't even been able to do it to Ukraini.

[@factChecker01]

@@USS-SNAKE-ISLAND , Good point. And I assume Finland has thousands of usable road sections.

[@jebes909090]

Nukes do that prettt well

[@JamesStreet-tp1vb]

​@jebes909090 You'd better share that bit of info with Russia too just in case they've forgotten.

[@diebartigeberta8138]

@@jebes909090no they don’t Think before commenting

[@jannarkiewicz633]

A big middle finger at Russia

[@kstricl]

I knew someone else thought of this.

[@fordwrc2006]

@@jannarkiewicz633 don’t think they are bothered about Finland or the Baltic’s 😂😂😂

[@Thunderbyrd.]

@@fordwrc2006 Russia was bothered enough about Finland that Putin threatened them with a invasion, so he was bothered by them a little bit.

[@fordwrc2006]

@@Thunderbyrd. Lies

[@littleponygirl666]

@@fordwrc2006 You're probably right about the lack of interest. Not enough hospitals and the apartment block are kinda small also compared to Ukraine for example.

[@ehsnils]

I'm from Sweden and am surprised that it seems to be a surprise to the rest of the world that highways can be used for landing military aircraft.

[@lyrigageforge3259]

Noted that before already, but yea it surprised me too, that they would not have heard of it... I am a Finn. Anyhow it's been done for as long as I remember and I about 50 years soon enough.

[@colbyh5180]

It's literally why the interstates exist in the US.

[@RonJohn63]

@@colbyh5180 no; "rapid cross-country truck transportation" is why they exist. Secondary use as runways is a useful secondary purpose.

[@RonJohn63]

I'm an American, and have known about it since the 1970s, for countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland. Maybe Germany, too; not sure.

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

It's not a surprise to anyone in any professional air force, obviously the United States has been doing it for decades and well over a century if you go back to the propeller era. but for most members of the general public they probably don't consider it because given the size of the United States and its facilities it's not as frequent a requirement as it is in the small Nordic countries, so it's unlikely they have ever seen it happening in your life.

[@rory-red]

Finland is about to become seriously OP with all the new F-35s

[@icollectstories5702]

They do have a large area and large border to patrol, so they are easier to attack than defend. Border incidents must be escalated quickly, and so are best avoided.

[@bobross8569]

If the can keep them operational and keep them from crashing.😂😅

[@Lonech]

@@bobross8569 There have been 13 recorded incidents involving any F-35 variants or examples. Two of those involved pilot errors (2020, 2023) and one involved a developmental test F-35B (2024). I will attribute the rest to mechanical and software failures. I think a failure rate of

[@SO-Negative]

@@icollectstories5702 If you would know Finnish border you would know in their case it's the opposite.

[@VonArmagedda]

@@icollectstories5702 Lakes, hills, dense forests impossible to traverse with mechanical columns, so they they must use roads...Yes, veeeeeery easy to attack.

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

Welcome to NATO Finland! We’re so happy to have you!❤

[@henriikkak2091]

Of course you are! More buffer for you

[@Cecil-yc6mc]

@@henriikkak2091 but I was told that Russian aren't a threat?

[@skibo3522]

Wow, best News I've heard all year, especially THIS year. Thanks for the Post.

[@lyfandeth]

Wow. Eisemhower built our Interstate highway system with level "airstrip" sections every so many miles, but only the Swedes and Finns seem to have trained for that.

[@chadpersing5596]

I've heard this for years..but is there any real truth to it?

[@AlphaHorst]

germany trained for it until 2000 when it was decided that maintaining their highways for such purposes was no longer needed as the wall had fallen and all of the potential aditional airstrips provided for by the system were nolonger inside strike range for smaler attackers

[@hawkeyetec]

Yes, initial design and not to shure about now. To many of the interstate are neglected and is barely roadworthy for cars let alone planes.

[@johnnyenglish583]

Definitely not only Swedes and Fins. In Poland, there has just been a big exercise using motorways a few weeks ago and they most definitely train for that

[@Eddie_Munster]

They do this training in Michigan every year I believe

[@Meower68]

Finland and Sweden both make heavily use of highways in lieu of runways. The Swedish J-35, JA-37 and JAS-39 were / are all designed and engineered to do that, as it was widely expected that the USSR would target any extant air bases. The JA-37 is still the only fighter I've ever seen which has a thrust reverser. Find the video where one lands, does a three-point turn on the runway, then flies back out again, opposite direction, on the same runway. Now imagine them doing something like that on a wide section of 2-lane highway.

[@aquaman3874]

The Panavia Tornado has thrust reversers too, and so do many commercial jets and the C-17 Globemaster III. Funny thing about the Tornado and the Viggen are they're both essentially attack/strike aircraft that eventually received significantly different air-defence variants.

[@SandboxxApp]

Just a quick shout-out to @Habitual_Linecross (on KZbin) for the rad F-22 shirt I'm wearing in this video!

[@lynnlamusga]

LOL, I didn't even notice till you mentioned it. 😅🤣😂😆

[@kibathemechanic4967]

I saw it! "Would you intercept me?"

[@3820jack]

We were on vacation in Poland this past May and were on a highway that was marked as an airstrip!

[@jjhead431]

A-10s used to do this in Germany all the time.

[@gmanbo]

Yep old reliable and sacrificial.

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

@@gmanbo IDK about sacrificial those things were built like flying tanks at least when it comes to pilot survival. Most systems had redundancy built in and the pilot sat in what was called a titanium bathtub.

[@ilaril]

The difference is that A-10 was built for rugged runways etc. 5th gen fighters are not. Yet it was one of the requirements of Finland to be able to use the road bases. And Norway landed couple of their F-35's already last year. So basically nothing new here. Just US doing things "for the first time".

[@Helperbot-2000]

difference beeing that the a 10 is the worst plane the us has

[@jjhead431]

@@Helperbot-2000 oooh a Russian bot, how quaint.

[@kineticstar]

The Fins are planning a fishing trip in Mermansk within a three day operation.

[@overworlder]

When you drive on Swedish rural roads, even two-lane ones, you see side aprons for parking aircraft at regular intervals

[@samilaitala5602]

Very well done and explained detailed basic facts of our nation. Not too many KZbinrs collects facts as precisely as you´ve done! Thank you! ;)

[@AKZP87]

We got lots of those Highway landing sites where fighter jets can rearm and refuel very quickly and we can make secondary landing sites all around Finland with little effort if we need to

[@B1gLupu]

The F-35 deal with Finland is older than the plan to join nato, so your point is a bit inaccurate at 2:20 We did not buy F-35s because we were now part of Nato, we bought them and then later joined.

[@alexanderg-p3z]

Finland was in all but name already NATO-members.

[@patrikfloding7985]

​@alexanderg-p3z you are explaing to a Finn their stance?

[@B1gLupu]

@@patrikfloding7985 He is right tho, we were basically in when shit became real. Finns have participated in Nato operations for years.

[@JuhoJohansson-bz3jb]

@@B1gLupu I have understood that there was a so called "understanding" between Finland and the US that was basically established shortly after WW2. The Americans did understand that even mere geography made it at the time practically impossible to officially join NATO... But it was clear that Finland had zero desire to be part of the eastern block. I have reason to believe that behind the scenes the Americans did make it clear to the Soviet leaders that any attack on Finland would not be tolerated.

[@B1gLupu]

@@JuhoJohansson-bz3jb If the topic interests you, you should research the radio tower that was built in Helsinki with american funding, so the ideals of democracy and capitalism could be broadcasted across the the sea to Estonia.

[@rosskillbery74]

Canada has committed to 88 F35s as well. Lots of hwys in northern Canada to support this kind of support. I just wish we would get in the game and start practicing this. Heck, the Iqaluit runway was long enough to be a backup for the space shuttle and I’ve seen a galaxy land there but we don’t really use all our long flat hwys for this purpose.

[@yxeaviationphotog]

Highway dispersed operations just aren't a capability needed here in Canada, so we've never trained to it. Even when we had Hornets based in Germany, we never trained to it. Because of that, the conditions of a lot of our highways just aren't cut out for use in such operations. Also should note that we currently operate Hornets out of Iqaluit and Inuvik, which are our two Forward Operating Locations for Arctic QRA missions.

[@anderssvensson4554]

Swede here. Liked and commented accordingly!

[@Thunder_6278]

Basically, it's a pit stop for aircraft. Got 20 min. to land, refuel, rearm and take off.

[@ryanhogan359]

I'm glad you were specific about the Block 4 variant, because you're correct, it should have a separate designation. It's night, and day better than the original version!

[@apuuvah]

Finnish fighters will always operate from highway strips. Day or night, summer or winter.

[@PLANETENKILLER_75]

Greetings from Germany. Super Videos! 😎

[@everypitchcounts4875]

Finland used F/A-18, Germany used its Eurofighter Typhoon & USAF used F-35A during this exercise in Finland.

[@bf-696]

After the "WInter War", I am sure Finland gives Russia nightmares.

[@tonysloppas3285]

Youre all dreaming.

[@boydjensen3161]

About time our military appreciates militaries who operate with moxie and on budget.

[@ScottS-56]

My birthday :D Awesome present, thanks!

[@jnx4803]

We need to remember that this is not your average highway, but a specifically prepared section of a road with additional infrastructure. So it's basically an airfield.

[@b6yg]

Thank you for pointing that out.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

There are a lot of sections of the interstate highway system in the US set up this way too. It’s not unusual or unique to the Finns, they just do it more because they don’t have the budget for a lot of extra airbases and need dual use stuff.

[@skasteve6528]

@@Justanotherconsumer It's not the budget so much, more that by the time you've detected an incoming missile, it's already too late. Typically, when the Swedes disperse their aircraft like this, they send a ground crew too with all the spares they need to keep that aircraft operational in the short term. I would expect the Finland to do the same, both countries have extremely experienced ground crews.

[@ralphm6901]

@@skasteve6528 it also allows them to use any stretch of highway in enemy territory, once the area has been secured. The aircraft can get back to ass-kicking a lot quicker.

[@kalle5548]

Even here in Sweden were our ones are about 1km shorter (~800m), they still feel kinda suspiciously wide, straight, and not to mention all the short, narrow rubbermarks

[@RichardHood-r2y]

Air Force is a great place to be. I’m glad I was in the Air Force.

[@kurtwicklund8901]

It is more a diplomatic message to Moscow than a training excercise.

[@bjornodin]

Just breathtaking! Both the implications AND the view! I was always a bit skeptical of the standard talking points of the F35 needing a pristine runway...when there are actual, deployed variants that can take off from a schooner!... ok maybe I exaggerated a bit there, but my point is that the B and C variants regularly take off and land under some very challenging conditions. I guess I've been waiting for something like this to emerge for a while...❤

[@wrathofme7026]

I was told that pilots in my squadron would land on a highway in the desert to refuel and rearm during parts of OIF in 2003

[@wrathofme7026]

F/A-18c if anyone was curious

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Sure. Highway is waaaay easier than an aircraft carrier.

[@dksl9899]

Something something danger zone

[@argentaegis]

"Requesting a flyby" "There's no tower, Mav. You'll just blow the windows out of the 7-11 that's giving us free soda."

[@Texaca]

... 😂 ... I can just hear Lana screaming out Arrrrrrrrrrcher! 😆

[@sasiuru]

"Puolustusvoimat - Försvarsmakten - The Finnish Defence Forces", official channel of Finnish defence forces released TopGun-ish feel good reel from this. Called "BAANA24 - IMMINENT FIELD 24". Worth to watch also. 😉 So asking for Danger Zone, Finnish Defence Forces Combat Camera will deliver it.

[@Texaca]

@@sasiuru ... I saw some of those videos, those are pretty awesome 👍🏼

[@Wannes_]

Not the first time for the F-35 Sweden is also reactivating its auxiliary highway-runways after they let them fall into disrepair as "peace dividend" (some were even broken up)

[@Ghost_Recon_Actual]

Finland has some bad ass pilots.

[@texasranger24]

The US Army just chose General Dynamics and Rheinmetall as finalists for the 4000 Bradley replacement IFVs (well, a year ago). Could you do a Firepower series video about this program, the two finalists and the other three that dropped out. Or more generally the current state of IFVs (Bradley, CV90, Puma, Lynx) and their most likely future. Maybe even including anti air IFVs like some CV90 variants and SkyRanger.

[@ilenekehoe3099]

Good stuff! Important perspective.

[@TukaihaHithlec]

The notion that Ukraine was invaded to stop NATO expansion was so weak when a stronger, richer, closer nation joined as a direct result. I’d be embarrassed if I fell for it.

[@russell7489]

brilliant report, earned a subscription

[@texasranger24]

A video about the X65 and active flow control would be cool.

[@HT-Blindleader]

HLC is gonna love it when he learns you're wearing a Kid tee-shirt in your latest video. Good man.

[@bret9741]

Finland should be given priority to get these aircraft soon. Also the US should overhaul and sell their older F-35 1-2-3 f-35’s at a discount to any NATO ally except Turkey, and Hungary.

[@overworlder]

Listening to this I had to check when our Australian F35As will be upgraded to Block 4. Next year - it will allow them to equip with JSM among other things

[@matthewbzdawka1232]

Are you wearing a "would you intercept me" shirt. That's awesome

[@mikeelliott9469]

I'm very happy Sweden was mentioned ' they have done this type of operations since the 1960's ! Thanks

[@benjurqunov]

How does that highway operation help homosexual special rights ? Sweden doesn't have illegal mexicans !

[@hifinsword]

VERY, VERY COOL!!!

[@mikenahnychuk4413]

So glad Finland joined NATO - They have a first class military and are commitment to the defense against soviet aggression - ordering 64 F35s now that's taking defense seriously. Hopefully all NATO countries will follow their lead.

[@norsenomad]

Last year's news. The footage shown at 0:30 in this video shows the first ever F-35 landing on a highway, which happened 🕙 a year ago. Several 🇳🇴Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) F-35As landed outside Tervo in Finland on 21 September 2023. Note the unusual Drag Chute System pod between the vertical stabilizers, developed for the RNoAF. The drag chute may be deployed for shorter (and icy runway) landings - as Norway has many 800 metre short runways (standard commercial runways are 2438 m) up to 71st and 79th parallel North. Finnish and Swedish air forces have been doing highway landings for decades, and I believe the new 🇩🇰🇫🇮🇸🇪🇧🇻 Nordic air force doctrine is already established and in operation.

[@ilaril]

Yep, but it's the first for Americans. It's the "Apple" way. Let others do things first, then do it yourself and say you did it first 😅

[@AlexanderSamardzhiev]

He actually specifies that it's a first for a USAF F35.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

That it’s technologically possible is old news. That they’re doing it in a country right on Russia’s border is why it’s news.

[@patrikfloding7985]

If by "decades" you mean half a century.

[@TooTallDean]

I didn't notice the drag chute pod until you mentioned it, but I did notice that plane has the Norwegian roundel. So Alex is using old stock footage for this article.

[@KrustyKlown]

From there in Finland, F35s can hit many Russian targets up to 700 miles into Russia.

[@SergeyPRKL]

Most importantly, ALL russias western ports are in strike distance from Finland. Most even with modern artillery (Kaliningrad, Im sorry, Köningsberg not included).

[@henriikkak2091]

Will the USA try to block those strikes like it blocks Ukraine, though?

[@KrustyKlown]

@@henriikkak2091 I'm talking about the hypothetical NATO/Russia war, when all blocks are pulled.

[@actionjksn]

I wonder if Finland is going to be keeping their Hornets after getting the new F35s? I bet Ukraine could probably make good use of them. It's ironic that Russia invaded the Ukraine based on it being a response to NATO expansion closer to Russia, and the specific reason Finland and Sweden joined NATO is because Russia invaded Ukraine. Had they not done that, I don't think Sweden and Finland would even be members of NATO right now if it weren't for that.

[@b6yg]

I would prefer that US-made airplanes not be sold or given to foreign countries. Why can't Finland and Sweden make their own Five or six generations at plane? and Not everyone in Finland even speaks English why are we helping them?

[@actionjksn]

​​@@b6yg We need to sell to our allies in order to get the production volume up enough to bring down the cost of manufacturing. I've been to Helsinki Finland and Stockholm Sweden, same trip and they both are pretty good at speaking English, not including their immigrants. Speaking of their immigrants, that's a real problem over there and they really fucked up on that. But it's their problem, and they're starting to wake up on that I think. The natives in Scandinavia are are actually very well educated and have a pretty good level of freedom. I trust both of those countries with our fighter jets and could not see them using them against us. I expect them both to spend the required amount on defense as well. Sweden makes a very good 4th generation fighter jet and that thing can take off and land just about anywhere.

[@JuhoJohansson-bz3jb]

@@b6yg First of all, we have not been given any planes. Not the F-18's and not the F-35's. We pay good money for them. Second, are you seriously asking why a nation of 5 million people does not support the exact same level of military R&D as the entire US Federal Goverment? Maybe we are a little bit short on money and resources to go that far... We make some excellent bullets though, maybe I should as, why can't the americans make their own bullets? Why do your snipers need our bullets? And what the heck does language have to do with any of it? Finland is a western country, even if we do have our indigenous language. I allways understood that the Americans believed in things like freedom for all nations? Was that reserved only for english speaking ones now?

[@JuhoJohansson-bz3jb]

@@actionjksn Personally I felt kind of offended by the whole idea that Finland would not somehow deserve US made planes, even if we pay literal billions for them. And that is a very non trivial amount of money for a small country. It is a huge investment. And if someone thinks we could somehow use them against the US... That is just insane. First of all we would have zero reason to do anything like that. Second is that it would be stupidity beyond anything even half sane... As Finland is (by population) a very small nation. We could not threaten the US even if we wanted to. All we desire, is to live our lives in peace... But living next door to Russia, we are allways more or less aware of our geography. Russia poses a very real threat to our very existance. Our language and culture could be wiped out, if we would lose such a war. For whatever it is worth one Finnish individual had a role in the very creation of the US... John Morton was his name, and one can find his signature on the declaration of indepence.

[@EiraAimo]

​@@b6yg Why "help" Finland? Maybe there is some tactical reasons if you open your eyes. Its not coincidence that Finland gets opportunity to byu the latest top-tier weaponry From US. Not get, buy. For example congress agreed to give Finland opportunity to buy EA-18G Growlers as only the second country in the world outside US. Same thing with missiles etc. And do you call it help when Finland is paying 9 billion euros for those F35's? Do you call it help, when Finland organizes exersices trough the year for US, winter farware training etc. Do you call it help, when US has open channel for all the Intel and stratetig info coming from Russias neighbouring country, have easy acces to Finnish airspace and territorial areas etc stones throw from russia? And why Finland wont have their own plane? Why would they have, when you can build frames for 35's, do engine assembly and other part manufacturing and maintain and repair service for other countries using or buying F35's in co-operation with Lockheed Martin😊

[@karstenhoff9158]

The F35 shown landing on the road in the beginning is from the Norwegian air force. You can clearly see the diamond/arrow symbol of the RNoAF. Norway only operates the F35A, so it is not the first time landing an F35A on a Finnish highway

[@Valokaari]

But during the exercise an USAF F35 did land for the first time to a roadside base in Finland.

[@karstenhoff9158]

@@Valokaari sure, just pointing out that most of the video is old, and that F35As have done this before, not just the -B

[@astridkennedyrice]

Love using footage of Norwegian F-35s when discussing the USAF :L

[@SergeyPRKL]

There were two Norwegians and two US, totalling four F-35 and they flew in Diamond formation over finnish city of Oulu (I eyewitnessed this, they flew straight over my house in Oulu).

[@1ramyus]

Wow. I never looked down to the comments section in your channel Alex - today was the first time. And honestly, I didn't expect that many Russian trolls down here. Visibly Putler didn't cut off access to the World Wide Web to all of them - at least not every Putlerjugend member is limited to ru-web only. It has to be a golden time for VPN providers.

[@LackofFaithify]

How are all the top posts saying how awesome and amazeballs this is a conspiracy of Russian trolls?

[@dodoubleg2356]

6,000ft is plenty of room for most modern fighter aircraft.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

Not enough for a F-15 Eagle or F-16 fighting Falcon. Air Force planes seem to need a lot of runway if fighters.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

@@feloniousmonk3049they’re designed to be good up in the air, not to be convenient to get off the ground - the B and C models of the F-35 are better suited for that. Always a trade off, though.

[@dgthe3]

@@feloniousmonk3049 Recommended does not mean the same thing as required. It is recommended that you do not operate an F16 on any runway that cannot allow it to take off in 100 degree temperature, fully loaded, with a tail wind, and enough space to abort the take off when fully up to speed. * What is required is about 1000 feet.** *just my approximation of the 'worst case scenario' that goes into writing such things up **reasonable guess at actual TO distance required

[@patrikfloding7985]

Sweden has hundreds of these specially designed road segments.

[@SeanWhite]

Purpose built highway. As in its intended to land heavy aircraft on.

[@Valokaari]

Officially it is called “emergency landing strip”. During war time there are many more, classified, places that can be transformed easily to be used as roadside bases.

[@miguelmorales9667]

We love Finland and Sweden. ❤

[@markbrisec3972]

I bet that the Finnish highways are as flat and clean as any military base runway...

[@RoyalMela]

Well, not often. It takes a lot to build highways in Finland, since -3-4 months of the year the land freezes. They are sturdy but not that flat, and cracks and potholes do appear quite often. Most problems are those waves that is created when different kind of landscape behaves differently when freezing and thawing.

[@rkramer5629]

So, Finland is practicing their Forward Arming & Refueling Tactics Got it…😂

[@Goofyahmc]

Wait a second

[@ItsJoKeZ]

just incase shit pops off

[@nunya___]

Pootin will know who dealt it.

[@gmanbo]

Putin will eventually get wind of this. Isn't Moscow down wind of Finland....

[@AlessandroRodriguez]

At least is better than making "Foward Arming Points" All night long, I presume

[@grumpyfinn]

the f35a had to be known to be able to do that for a few years now... other wise finland wouldnt have bought them.....finnsih american dual citizen... that moved back to finland in 2018, done my conscript service in 2001 (machine gunner mech inf).... we finns do that all the time, and our f35s will be doing that on the reg soon.

[@fishheadbreakroom]

we did this in estonia with an a-10 a year or two ago. It hit a sign, the plane was unharmed.

[@marktisdale7935]

Long live The Kid.

[@B1gLupu]

Kid is the F-22 :D oooh the shirt, riiight!

[@6point5by55]

F-35: I can land on roadways 😀 SAAB Viggen: ...hold my beer 😂

[@puhistagram]

Good video. Thanks Sandboxx. There good looking video footage available of Unified Nordic Airforce gears, F35, F/A18, F16 and Gripen 39s. (YT: Nordic Response 24 - Air operations in the High North) Slava Ukraini!

[@Kazihirom]

Raytheon laughing and loving this

[@texasranger24]

Could you do a video about the future of Shorad? Will short range air defense provided by the laser stryker? Will the Bradley replacement IFV XM30 function as an anti air cannon? Should the US look at the SkyRanger / Skynex / millenium gun system? And will there be a Stinger replacement with a better battery, targeting, and most importantly more affordable? Or is this affordable future the APKWS guidance upgrade for the cheap and plentiful Hydra 70mm rocket? Should we slap that on Avenger Hummvees? Or IRIS-T? And how are M-shorad Strykers doing? The new EAGLS?!

[@eric97909]

Glad to finally have the Fins and the Swedes with us in NATO! Love from USA!

[@henriikkak2091]

Vote Blue! You don't want a Putin asset in the White House again

[@xyzaero]

plane does not care if concrete is designated as a highway or runway

[@realufosbykeithchapman3638]

I like your channel bro😎🤙🏻🤘🏻🖖🏻

[@spitfiremac]

Upgrade by upgrade, certification by certification, adoption by adoption, it is becoming impossible to throw shade at 35s.

[@Davethreshold]

Don't throw shade on them if you are in a nearby airplane! 🤡

[@simlefjes]

Another correction. Norway landed in Tervo road runway, Finland with F35A 21. September in 2023

[@lionheartx-ray4135]

So the question is now. What can't the F35 do. Rather than what can the f 35 do

[@JohnMGibby]

Can't allow itself to get in a guns only dogfight

[@Mabswer]

Cant make me sandwich.. Thats one thing it still cant do

[@Helperbot-2000]

@@JohnMGibby ... the f 35 a has a gun. but even then that isnt needed, this is as ridiculous as saying carriers should have protection against getting rammed, thats just not going to be needed, you already have to fuck up a billion times in a row for that to be needed

[@Justanotherconsumer]

@@JohnMGibbyand it is well prepared to not have to do that, and even then that it struggles against an F-16 designed entirely around doing that isn’t much of a concern. Dogfighting is not that important anymore. It’s not dead, but it’s not how air superiority is done.

[@JohnMGibby]

@@Helperbot-2000 Agreed. But it is something the F35 "can't" do. 😜 Fat Amy is beautiful in BVR, but up close things may get ugly...😬

[@hardystrathe1713]

fighter landing on a highway is a standard procedure for jet pilots. Can be exercised in each country with straight road

[@tessjuel]

Nice but the Norwegian Air Force did exaclty the same a year ago so it's not really news.

[@icollectstories5702]

Was impressed with the take-off and noticed this wasn't in STOL mode, as the lift-fan door was closed. Of course, the 35A doesn't have one to open....

[@jloiben12]

Are you really a runway queen if you can operate off highways?

[@yxeaviationphotog]

I think "runway queen" is more used by detractors of the F-35 for some reason.

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

I’m reminded of that scene and live free die hard where the F 35B lands on the highway as a stunt. It was actually the first ever film to use an F 35 funny enough. But I’m not surprised that they can do it because they ’ve got a lot of raw power and that PW 135 engine.

[@sergiom9958]

Well... Im not sure why this is "a huge deal". Finland has been doing this for decades; and they have bought F35 so this was just a matter of time. Also, Russia and Norway have a treaty by which each other can check their airbases (with prior notice), and they have a dew selfies with one of their F35. So... if the idea is to claim that an F35 is doing something new close to Russians... it is not that way. PS: I really love the F35 and I hope to see it reach many more sales.

[@b6yg]

Were you referring to the Treaty on Open Skies? and when you say "Russia and Norway have a treaty by which each other" can you show me that treaty specifically? What does this mean by "dew selfies with one of their F35? I think the idea is that the country Finland can get to Russia quicker and target them it doesn't have to be new but the strategic objective can be quicker to achieve. if the idea is to claim that an F35 is doing something new close to Russians... it is not that way. American withdrawal In October 2019, it was reported that according to documents from the U.S. House of Representatives, President Donald Trump was considering withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty.[29][30] NATO allies and partners, in particular Ukraine, were against the move, fearing it would license Russia to reduce further or ban overflights, thus reducing their knowledge of Russian military movements.[31] In April 2020, it was reported that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper had agreed to proceed with U.S. withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies.[32] On 21 May 2020, President Trump announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the treaty due to alleged Russian violations.[33] On 22 May 2020, the United States submitted notice of withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies.[34][35] Senate Democrats questioned the legality, wisdom, and appropriateness of the planned withdrawal so close to the 2020 United States presidential election.[36][37] Russian withdrawal In January 2021, Russia announced that it would follow the United States in withdrawing from the Treaty on Open Skies.[42] The Biden administration informed Moscow in May 2021 that it would not re-enter the pact; on 7 June 2021 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that formalized Russia's exit from the Treaty on Open Skies.[43]

[@sergiom9958]

@@b6yg dude i have not read what you have copy pasted but the treaty is the 2011 Viena Document or something like that. If you google russian military observers with F35 or something like that you will find it.

[@SoloRenegade]

US and most European nations have practiced road runways since WW2. The Harrier jump jets were designed for this sort of thing as well.

[@sergiom9958]

@@SoloRenegade the US practiced with every plane they had in German roads for decades.

[@SoloRenegade]

@@sergiom9958 yes, that's basically what I said

[@johnruuu]

This is a war time game changer. If we can land and take off from virtually any straight highway anywhere in the world with state of the art fighter A/C, then there is no safe space for an adversary. Landing and refueling and rearming 100 miles from Vlad town off a highway (not a military runway,) is a direct statement to him.

[@TaiSavaMalinois]

This wasn't the first time F-35 landed on highway in Finland, norwegian planes did that already in 2023.

[@bertbergers9171]

Reading this comment section, this video footage is exactly from that time. So the narrative could be true, but it is not complete, not neutral/unbiased and corrobarated with available B-roll, without mention of the source(s)

[@Valokaari]

@@bertbergers9171narrative (regarding the F35) is true while the video is not. The USAF F35s participated in the BAANA 24 exercise of the Lapland Air Command.

[@spudmanwp]

The F-35As shown at the @0:31 second mark are Norwegian, not USAF. A big giveaway (besides the unit markings) is the drag chute fairing located between the vertical tails).

[@metwo1492]

Wow those are old F/A-18s. I think those are C/D versions.

[@tonikaihola5408]

Yeah we bought them in 1995. C/D is correct.

[@jm-holm]

Old indeed, but if curious I recommend searching for "riat 2019 f-18" to see what Finnish pilots can do in that old machinery. Qualitas Potentia Nostra.

[@dgthe3]

@@tonikaihola5408 And yet still newer than what Canada is flying. CF18A's from the mid 1980s. We had to buy a bunch of planes from the Aussies that they had retired & replaced just to keep our jets flying for another decade or so. At least we should start getting F35s in a couple years. Sure, if we hadn't cancelled the order 9 years ago we'd have some by now ( and never needed to spend over $300M on Australian aircraft). But at least there was a competitive bidding process the 2nd time around. Which had an obvious winner the moment it was announced.

[@metwo1492]

@@tonikaihola5408 Thanks. Are the avionics upgraded since then, or are they still using late 1990s radars and other sensors?

[@tonikaihola5408]

@@metwo1492 They went through some upgrades to be able to use the JASSMs we have, but not sure about other stuff.

[@glenw-xm5zf]

Thank you for getting right to the point AND not using AI