Feature
WATCH: Hornets And Hawks Take To The Road
Road traffic usually consists of cars and lorries, but lately a Finnish roadway saw the arrival of some very unusual transport: military aircraft.
F-18 Hornets and BAE Systems Hawk trainer planes have just completed Baana 16 in Finland, along with some of neighbouring Sweden's Saab Gripen jets.
The exercise, held between September 23rd and October 1st, is aimed at giving pilots practice in take offs and landings on roadways. In this case, the training was held on national road 5 in southern Finland.
During war, airfields are likely to be targeted by the enemy, so it makes sense for air forces to practice these elements of flight in other places.
Click below to watch 1975 footage of British Jaguar jets taking off from a field, as well as landing on the M55 motorway.
British Jaguar fighter jets practice take off and landing without a runway
Other countries, such as India, have also practiced the manoeuvre, and Taiwanese fighter jets have practised using highways as runways during war games meant to simulate an attack from the Chinese mainland.
Taiwanese jets participate in war games to prepare for a Chinese attack
The exercise in Finland involved eight or nine Hornets, the trainer planes, and other Air Force aircraft.
380 people participated, including 80 reservists, with troops also taking part to practise operating under emergency conditions.
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