Flying in the Finnish Air Force for 15 years and instructing for the last five, he has earned every qualification available as a Finnish pilot. He was hand-selected for the program by his superiors for his work ethic. Marine Corps (USMC) and the Finnish Air Force. Jrvinen is a part of the first pilot exchange between the U.S. “Having done it myself, I was happy that he could share in the challenge of it, but also the excitement of everything that goes with shipboard operations.” “Seeing it happen, I was absolutely excited,” said Bursae. F/A-18B Hornet VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters, SH215 / 163115 – Medal of Honor. This print is available in multiple sizes from – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. “The way they fly is so different to what I’m used to, and I think the instructors figured out the perfect syllabus to train students.”īursae was on the flight deck observing when Jrvinen landed for the first time. “The training is very valuable to me,” said Jrvinen. Jrvinen shared his thoughts on going through the training and working with the instructors. “The purpose of this is so that when he does move on to teach students in the Finnish Air Force, he has knowledge and first-hand experience of what he is teaching.” Shane Bursae, an instructor for VMFAT 101. “We put him through the same repetitions of fuel carrier landing practice events that all students go through,” said Maj. Juha Jarvinen exits his F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Sharpshooters of Marine Strike Fighter Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).īefore landing on an aircraft carrier, Jrvinen had to complete the same training that Navy and Marine Corps pilots undergo. The goal is to catch the third wire, giving pilots the best and safest chance to land.Īs explained by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Allen Lee, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs, in the article First For Finland: Lincoln Welcomes Partner Nation Pilot, when Jrvinen was asked about his landing aboard Abraham Lincoln, his face lit up as he reflected on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.įinnish Air Force Capt. To successfully land an F/A-18C on an aircraft carrier, pilots must hook on to one of four wires located on the flight deck. Jrvinen is currently attached to Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 “Sharpshooters,” to be trained as pilot instructor. Juha “Stallion” Jrvinen performed an arrested landing on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Mar. Juha “Stallion” Jrvinen, Finnish Air Forceįinland now has a fighter pilot qualified for aircraft carrier ops after Capt. Now this is all reality to me, and I have a better understanding of the big picture,” Capt. Not theory, but real life training experience. You await your clearance with anticipation which will spell the start of your mission.“I’m excited to bring back a lot of real experience. Two transport planes are leaving in the amber twilight on another covert operation. The green glow of the many instruments dance over your visor. “It’s a beautiful morning as the day is about to break, you are on the apron in the hornet with its powerful twin engines already spinning. The operation will take about 80 minutes.

As the operation proceeds the element of surprise will reduce.

You will be supported overhead by Dark Star. Your load out consists of Aim9X, Mark83s and one central external fuel tank. You will then proceed to attack two further targets and finally fence out and land on the Stennis fleet based off the coast. Here you will refuel and rearm using the same weapons load out.

You will then traverse the mountains and land at Nalchik Air Base. You will leave Batumi Air Base at 6.00 am in the morning and attack two targets. You have been selected to pilot a single F18C, call sign 'Puma', and execute this early morning operation. It has been decided to use the element of surprise and attack all four sites in one early morning strike. They have located four sites where manufacturing is currently underway. Our Intel have discovered that the opposing forces are manufacturing chemical weapons on an industrial basis.

F18 carrier landing mission escorte