The authorization is in force for three years, and applies to the international readiness unit, which comprises 250 soldiers and six F-18 fighter jets.
Finnish Air Force Commander Jarmo Lindberg told YLE that the achievement is an important indication of the skills of Finnish soldiers. He says that the appreciation and reputation of Finnish soldiers is growing in the world.
“This was widely noted when we were completing the final examination in Germany”, Lindberg says.
The evaluation involved the capabilities of the international unit of the Air Force both in the air and on land. Operative skills were also a target of inspection.
“Nearly 100 evaluators from several countries checked on the performance ability of the Finnish unit during the past week. Our tasks include flying, aircraft maintenance, and work on the ground. The group examined how we would have acted in an emergency situation.”
The final evaluation took place at the Trollenhagen air base in Northern Germany. The project began about two years ago.