The Field Artillery of Independent Finland and the Artillery School turn 100
In February 2018 it will be 100 years since the foundation of the Field Artillery of Independent Finland and the Artillery School. The Finnish Defence Forces honour their 100th anniversary with an artillery equipment display in Helsinki on 9 February.
The Army has an artillery equipment display on the Senate Square on 9 February. The audience has an opportunity to see for example howitzers, cannons and artillery rocket launchers. The newest addition is the 155 mm armoured howitzer K9 Thunder.
World War II era guns are presented by Heritage Association of Heavy Artillery Battalion 1.
Additionally, you can see a demonstration of a horse-drawn artillery gun position occupation. The demonstrations will be conducted by the riding club Niinisalon Ratsastajat and the Kankaanpää Region Artillery Association (Kankaanpään Seudun Tykistökilta ry).
The field artillery is a central part of the Army’s capability. The artillery is developed with long-term goals in mind and by taking advantage of the possibilities offered by new technology and developments in the field of artillery. The field artillery is a versatile and technological branch that is well-suited for a military built on general conscription and offers many different training opportunities.
–Our artillery has been developed based on the foundations laid by General Nenonen, from the perspective of national defence and of a conscription-based military. Finland has Western Europe’s most capable artillery. In the artillery we trust in the skills and knowledge of our conscripts and reservists, even in the most demanding situations. These skills are constantly on display in our national exercises. Our training system works and we can be proud of the skill level of our conscripts and reserve and of the capability of our artillery, says Colonel Pasi Pasivirta, who is the Inspector of Artillery in the Army Command.
The traditions of the World War II era field artillery regiments live on in the artillery regiments of our Army today: In Kainuu Artillery Regiment in Kajaani, in Satakunta Artillery Regiment in Niinisalo, in Karelia Artillery Regiment in Vekaranjärvi, in the Jaeger Artillery Regiment in Parolannummi and in the Artillery School in Niinisalo.
The Artillery School is responsible for training the professional soldiers of the field artillery and provising continuing training. The Artillery School participates in the planning and execution of large Army and directs the training of the field artillery according to the guidelines set by the branch leadership. Additionally, the Artillery School supports the research and development of field artillery.
The day’s programme:
9 - 9.30 Wreath laying, Hietaniemi cemetery.
Wreaths will be laid on the graves of General of the Artillery, V.P Nenonen, of Marshal Mannerheim and by the Cross of Heroes.
10.00-18.00 Artillery equipment display, Senate Square.
By the equipment display at 10.30 and 13.00 there will be a demonstration of a horse-drawn artillery gun position occupation.
The events are free of charge.
Welcome!
Traffic arrangements of the event
Because of the event, traffic around and at the Senate Square is restricted starting from 8 February at 16.00. Hallituskatu will be closed to all traffic between Snellmanninkatu and Unioninkatu for the duration of the even and its dismounting.
The Finnish Defence Forces equipment arriving in Helsinki will be assembled in Hanasaari on 8 February at 17.00 and move via Hämeenlinnanväylä - Kehä 3 - Lahdenväylä - Hermannin Rantatie - Sörnäisten Rantatie - Parrukatu and from 1800 to the Senate Square via Parrukuja - Hanasaarenkatu - Sörnäisten rantatie - Pohjoisranta - Aleksanterinkatu - Senate Square.
The equipment display will dismounted on 9 February after 18.00 and the equipment will be move to Hanasaari. From Hanasaari, the units will be leaving via Parrukatu- Sörnäisten rantatie - Hermannin Rantatie - Lahdenväylä - Kehä 1- Hämeenlinnanväylä.
You can follow the events via the Finnish Defence Forces social media channels:
facebook.com/maavoimat
twitter.com/maavoimat @Maavoimat
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