Finland’s Air Force to Phase Out Swastikas from Unit Flags
Finland’s Air Force is set to phase out the use of swastikas on some of its unit flags. This decision comes as the country integrates into NATO, aiming to align more closely with its Western allies. The swastika, which has a long and complex history in Finland, has increasingly been viewed as a controversial symbol, particularly in the context of its association with Nazi Germany.
The Finnish air force adopted the swastika emblem in 1918, shortly after Finland gained independence from Imperial Russia. The insignia, featuring a blue swastika on a white background, was used on military aircraft until 1945. Over the decades, the symbol remained on certain Air Force flags and decorations, despite efforts to distance its use from the Nazi connotations that emerged later.
According to the public broadcaster YLE, Col. Tomi Böhm, head of the Karelia Air Wing, acknowledged the potential for awkward situations with foreign visitors. He stated, “We could have continued with this flag, but sometimes awkward situations can arise with foreign visitors. It may be wise to live with the times.”
The Finnish Defense Forces confirmed that a plan to update air force unit flags was initiated in 2023, coinciding with Finland’s membership in NATO. However, they emphasized that the decision to remove the swastika was not directly related to joining the alliance. Instead, the aim is to “update the symbolism and emblems of the flags to better reflect the current identity of the Air Force.”
Teivo Teivanen, a professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, noted that the flags in question were introduced in the 1950s and are currently flown by four Air Force units. He explained that the Finnish public had long maintained that the swastikas held no connection to Nazi ideology. Yet, as Finland seeks closer integration with NATO forces, there is a growing recognition of the need to adapt to the sensitivities of other member states, particularly those like Germany and the Netherlands, where the swastika is an overtly negative symbol.
In fact, in 2021, German air force units withdrew from a final ceremony in Finland after learning that swastikas would be present. This incident highlighted the potential for diplomatic discomfort.
The swastika’s association with Count Eric von Rosen, a Swedish nobleman who donated Finland’s first military aircraft, complicates its legacy. Von Rosen, who was the brother-in-law of Hermann Göring, a leading figure in Nazi Germany, contributed to the symbol’s dual identity. The Finnish air force has consistently asserted that their use of the swastika was unrelated to Nazi Germany, despite Finland’s complex wartime alliances.
As Finland prepares to introduce new flags featuring an eagle, the Defense Forces indicated that the transition will occur during events such as parades and local ceremonies. Although no specific timeline was provided, the move reflects a broader effort to modernize and update the Air Force’s imagery.
The Defense Forces stated, “The traditional Von Rosen swastika emblem, in use since 1918, has already been removed from most other Air Force emblems during earlier reforms, so its removal from the unit flags is a logical continuation of this work.”
This decision marks a significant shift for the Finnish Air Force, balancing its historical legacy with the new realities of international military cooperation. As the nation continues to navigate its identity within NATO, the phasing out of the swastika represents both a practical adjustment and a response to evolving perceptions of symbolism in a global context.
