The Finnish Air Force carried out a special escort with F/A-18 Hornet fighters during the return of the men’s ice hockey team to the country.
Two F/A-18 Hornet fighters from the Finnish Air Force escorted, on Monday, June 1, 2026, Finnair flight AY7516, which was carrying the men’s ice hockey team on its return from Zurich to Finland.
The Finnair aircraft was accompanied by the fighters over the sea, south of Hanko, as it headed toward Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The action drew attention for combining a symbolic welcome for the sports delegation with a routine military aviation activity.
According to the Finnish Air Force, the pilots used the flight to conduct identification procedure training, a practice used in air surveillance and air defense operations. This type of exercise allows crews to simulate the approach and escort of aircraft in controlled airspace.
The escort with the F/A-18 Hornets reinforced the special nature of the team’s return, while also serving as a training opportunity for Finnish military pilots.
Source and images: Ilmavoimat / @FinnishAirForce. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
