Conscripts operate light rocket launcher in LIST22

In List22, the conscripts from the Kainuu Artillery Regiment operate the light rocket launcher professionally. By now, they have completed nearly a year of the conscript service, and currently they undertake final training prior to being mustered out in June 2022.

Among the conscripts is 20-year-old Saana Heikkilä from Oulu who took leadership training on the ROC259 Hehku at the Reserve Officer School. In the exercise drill LIST22, she leads the intelligence and preparations detachments and gives the orders to fire the light rocket launcher.
-    It’s a great feeling to observe the rocket being launced off, Officer candidate Saana Heikkilä says.

Officer candidate Heikkilä in LIST22 at Rovajärvi, Northenr Finland.

Prior to giving the firing order, the grid coordinates to the target must be meticulously determined and fires need to be equally carefully prepared. Corporal Miia Niemistö, 21, measures and determines grid coordinates and functions as a measurement NCO in LIST22.

-  I measure the direction and grid coordinates. This requires being able to calculate promptly, having resilience and being able to take decisions, Corporal Niemistö explains.

Gunner Laine, 20, from Vaasa also participates in LIST22. He is responsible for driving the light rocket launcher vehicle.

- For me, this is a vehicle that takes up space which is a fact that must be considered. I also serve as the launcher section signals duty personnel.

LIST22 participant, conscript Matias Isokangas, 19, from Toholampi, serves as the launcher section’s sub-section leader.
-    In fighting positions, observing that everything works. Also, servicing is involved, Isokangas says.
 

Corporal Jokimäki, 19, from Laihia (the second from the left) serves as launcher leader. His tasks involve, among others, seeing to it that the launcher gets to be fired and that the launcher is in correct location. He also fires the light rocket launcher when given the order to fire.

What is it like to fire this strong of a weapon system?

-    It is a great feeling. There we are in the cabin with hearing protection on. At firing, the vehicle will slightly wobble and shake.

The Army Academy leads LIST22 at Rovajärvi on 16 – 27 May 2022. Follow the exercise on social media with #LIST22 and online at www.maavoimat.fi/list22 (articles in English as well).

Photos by Communications specialist conscript Paananen/FDF.