Lapland Air Command

The Lapland Air Command (Finnish: Lapin Lennosto, abbr. LapLsto; Swedish: Lapplands flygflottilj) is the peace-time Finnish Air Force unit responsible for the protection of the airspace of northern Finland. The headquarters of the air command is located in the present-day province of Lapland, at Rovaniemi Airport.


Lapland Air Command
Lapin Lennosto  (Finnish)
Lapplands flygflottilj  (Swedish)
The flag of the Lapland Air Command
Active1974–
Country Finland
BranchFinnish Air Force
Size420
Garrison/HQRovaniemi, Rovaniemi Airport
MarchHanssin Jukka
Commanders
Current
commander		Antti Koskela
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The Lapland Air Command was founded in 1973, when the Tavastia Air Command was moved to Rovaniemi. The unit was officially renamed into the Lapland Air Command in 1974. It was equipped with Saab Draken fighters. The wing was established due to the increased importance of airspace in Cold War Europe. The Soviet Navy had large installations on the Kola peninsula, while NATO had a large number of aircraft in northern Norway. Both sides often held large wargames nearby.

In the early 2000s, the wing was equipped with F-18 Hornet fighters, the first were received in January 1999, and operative readiness was obtained in 2000. At the same time, all Drakens were retired.

The Wing's main duty is to guard and defend the air space, as well as to support the land forces. The wing trains conscripts for aerial surveillance, and for general service and support for the fighter flights. The Lapland Air Defence Battalion is also located at the base.

The 11th Fighter Squadron is the operational unit of the Lapland Air Command.

Organization
Headquarters Flight
1st Flight
Fighter flight, equipped with F-18C/Ds and also trains mechanics
2nd Flight
Fighter flight, equipped with F-18C/Ds and trains pilots
4th Flight
Liaison flight, equipped with Valmet Vinka, PA-31-350 Chieftain, Valmet L-90TP Redigo aircraft
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