
The Finnish use of road bases for the air force is well-known, but while the concept sounds simple on paper, there’s quite a few things that need to come together for it to be effective. The eyes of the air traffic controller proper, which can be situated elsewhere, is runway guard (Fi. Ratavalvoja) that ensures that runway is safe and free from obstacles. In peacetime this include checking for wildlife, people, and vehicles that shouldn’t be on an active runway, while in wartime assessing battle damage and repairs is also part of the tasks. Picture source: Ilmavoimat / Anne Torvinen