Overview

• The Air Force Command told dpa that historical flags bearing the symbol will be taken out of use "in the near future."
• Col. Tomi Böhm said the banners have led to uncomfortable moments with foreign visitors and that updating them is sensible.
• The emblem entered Finnish aviation in 1918 via Swedish aristocrat Eric von Rosen’s donated aircraft, predating Nazi adoption.
• The symbol was removed from aircraft in 1945 and from the command emblem in 2017, yet it still appears on some ceremonial flags used at parades.
• Reporting highlights diplomatic sensitivities, including a 2021 incident in which German air force personnel reportedly skipped a Lapland ceremony over planned flag displays.