In a historic maneuver, two U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II jets from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath executed an austere landing on a highway in Finland on September 4 during the BAANA 2024 exercise. This event marks a significant advancement in NATO's ability to perform operations under the U.S. Air Force's agile combat employment concept, promoting closer integration among Allied forces. Gen. James Hecker praised the exercise as a testament to the growing relationship and interoperability between U.S. and Finnish forces. Finland's accession to NATO in 2023 has provided numerous opportunities for joint training, including participation in a recent air superiority exercise in Germany. The BAANA 2024 exercise demonstrated the capability to operate from unconventional locations, a strategic necessity given evolving global security dynamics.