The Swedish Air Force traditional ”Christmas tree flights” – a display of Christmas spirit and the Nordic Air Power

The Swedish Armed Forces ”Christmas tree flights” will this year have guest appearances by our Nordic colleagues and allies from the Armed Forces of Denmark and Finland. This year the JAS 39 Gripen E will lead one of the formations for the first time.

Since Sweden’s NATO membership the collaboration between the Nordic Air Forces have deepened further as part of the Nordic Air power concept.

- Our joint Christmas Tree flights are a visible symbol of what our defense cooperation has become – operationally integrated, mutually reinforcing and firmly grounded in our shared commitment as Allies. It is a privilege to fly together in this tradition, and a reminder that our combined air power is stronger when we act as one, says Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.

December tradition - flies in a pattern of a christmas tree

Every December the Swedish Air Force conducts it´s traditional Christmas tree flight, a formation flight in which the Jas 39 Gripen flies in a pattern that shapes a Christmas tree. In addition to being a visually impressive display, the flights are also a natural progression of the regularly accuring cross border training. The formations flights provide valuable training for our younger pilots as well as operational planning together with Finland and Denmark. The close formation requires the pilots to be focused and coordinated.

- The Christmas tree is a traditional and memorable event for fighter pilots and we are grateful for the appreciation and engagement from our citizens. We look forward to flying together, says Martin Lindström, formations leader at the Blekinge Wing. Since safety is a priority, flights will be cancelled unless the December weather is safe for close formation, or if low and extensive cloudbanks prevent it from being visible from the ground.

Flies together with Finland over the North

The first Christmas Tree flight will be flown by the Norrbotten Wing over the north of Sweden, the second flight over the North of Sweden and Finland together with Finland. The Finnish Air Force will be participating in the formation with fighter jets from Lapland Air Wing.

- It is a pleasure and an honor to participate in the traditional Christmas Tree Flight and to display our force along with our Swedish allies, says Major Pekka Kärnä, Commander of the Fighter Squadron 11, Lapland Air Wing. Skaraborg Wing will cover parts of Västra Götaland and Värmland counties. A Christmas formation is also being carried out by their transport aircraft 84 Hercules, as the last event this year. The transport flights will cover big parts of the south of Sweden as well as the capital Stockholm.Copenhagen will be.

Enhanced interoperability with Denmark - Christmas tree flights over Copenhagen

The Swedish and Danish Air Forces have taken further steps this year to enhanced interoperability and reaction times of our Quick Reaction Alerts conducted by our fighter jets in the south Baltic Sea and Öresund. Together with our Danish Allies the Blekinge Wing will fly over the Danish capital Copenhagen as well as the Sound area, southeast Skåne and the home county of Blekinge. Planning of routes is in full swing at the Wings and will be released the day before each flight, except for the first flight which will be released tomorrow Friday, 4 th of December. Exact routes with cities and flight times will be published and updated on forsvarsmakten.se and shared on the Swedish Air Force´s and each wing´s social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram).

Schedule:

Norrbotten Wing (first update on Friday 4/12, additional ones on the day before) Monday 8 December (Sweden) & Wednesday 10 December (Finland-Sweden). Thursday 11 December back-up day.

Skaraborg Wing (first update on Monday 8/12, additional ones on the day before) Tuesday 9 December. Wednesday 10 back-up day. Monday 15 December & Wednesday 17 December (Transport 84 Hercules)

Blekinge flygflottilj (update on Monday 15/12, additional ones on the day before) Tuesday 16 December (Denmark). Wednesday 17 December back-up day.

Press contact Swedish Air Force:

Therese Aakerstedt

Head of Communication & Public Affairs Swedish Air Force

Mobile: 072-883 04 95, mail: swaf-hq-komm@mil.se