The Finnish Air Force was created on 6 Mar 1918. In the 1930s the mainly seaplane fleet was replaced by landplanes, which enabled the development of new fighter tactics. This enabled developement of defensive tactics during the World War II. Organised into 3 Air Commands, the Air Force has 6 major bases, mostly spread across the south of the country. Helicopter operations were introduced in 1961 at Pori (EFPO) and transferred to Utti (EFUT) in 1962. In 1996, all rotary wing operations were transferred to the Finnish Army (qv). 
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