Advent Calendar #11: Under a Distant Sky

While Finland never switched the majority of the forces to light expeditionary ones, international operations still plays an important role. With the increasing complexity of many modern operations, such as ISAF/Resolute Support in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, the training for all personnel being sent out has also increased in complexity and in the level of professionalism. The key unit here is the Pori Brigade, which hosts both the Crisis Management Centre providing training before missions, as well as the Finnish Rapid Deployment Forces (Fi. SKVJ) which trains conscripts in the basics of international operations. In essence, if a conscript plan on becoming a peacekeeper or otherwise serving abroad as a reservist, FRDF is the main way to get there. Here a convoy of FRDF rolls out during training. Picture source: Pori Brigade Twitter