Swastikas persist on certain flags within Finland's air force, but they are gradually being phased out.
In a significant move, the Finnish Air Force has announced plans to phase out the swastika symbol from its unit flags. This decision, aimed at addressing discomfort caused to foreign visitors, is part of a larger renewal plan for the air force's unit flags, launched in 2023.
The swastika symbol used by the Finnish Air Force has a history that predates Nazi Germany. It was adopted in 1918, shortly after Finland gained its independence, and was used on all planes from 1918 to 1945. The first military plane in Finland, donated by Count Eric von Rosen of Sweden, bore the same symbol.
Interestingly, Count von Rosen was the brother-in-law of Hermann Goering, a high-ranking Nazi official. However, the Finnish Air Force's use of the swastika symbol had no direct connection to Nazi Germany, despite Finland's reluctant alliance with the Third Reich during World War II.
The swastika emblem in question has been flown by four Air Force units since the 1950s. However, the symbol has been perceived as an "embarrassing symbol in international contexts," leading to its removal from the Air Force Command's unit emblem a few years ago.
The traditional Von Rosen swastika emblem has already been removed from most other Air Force emblems during earlier reforms. Now, the Defense Forces have announced that new flags featuring an eagle will replace the ones with the swastika emblem.
Col. Tomi Böhm, the new head of Karelia Air Wing air defense force, supports this decision. He stated, "It may be wise to live with the times and phase out the swastikas." Teivo Teivainen, a professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, provided no direct comment on the matter.
This decision comes as Finland joins NATO in April 2023 over concerns related to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The awkwardness caused by the swastikas on Finnish air force flags has been a source of concern in international contexts, and this move is expected to improve Finland's relations with its Western allies and foreigners.
The Defense Forces did not specify when the new flags will be introduced into use for events like parades and local ceremonies. However, the project to phase out the flags featuring swastikas is planned to take place "in the near future."
