Trust in the Diamond-Strong Midnight Family
The Midnight Hawks, the Finnish Air Force aerobatic team includes both old-timers and one new face for the 2026 season.
Captain Ville Kirijatshenko continues as the team leader, with Captain Arttu Majuri on the left wing and Captain Lauri Lappalainen on the right wing. Flying as the slot pilot is Captain Ville Mattila, who served as the team’s commentator and rookie last season. Captain Petteri Wahlgren, who flew as the slot pilot last season, transitions to the role of supervisor. The team’s rookie for the 2026 season is Captain Tatu Turunen.
An Intensive Training Period
The Midnight Hawks are pleased with their recently concluded training season, which included an intensive three-week flying period. During that time, the team completed all planned flights, sometimes flying multiple sorties per day. They are now ready to begin the display season.
Lappalainen, now flying his second season with the team, notes a clear difference between this spring’s training period and last year. For this display season, he expects to enjoy display flying even more now that it is more familiar.
- Compared to last season, the training period was much more straightforward. This season we’ve had only one new member in the flying formation, whereas last year there were several. Now our season has gotten off to a really strong start, Lappalainen explains.
- We got a good amount of activity right from the start of the training period, and through that I personally built a solid foundation relatively quickly. If we only had one display per week throughout the year, it wouldn’t become routine, comments Mattila, who is flying his first season.
Display Sequence and Favorite Maneuvers
This season’s display sequence is mostly the same as last year’s. It includes maneuvers such as the line abreast loop, the waterfall, and the vortex. This year, the team is refining the formations to be even more “diamond-sharp,” in line with the Midnight Hawks’ trademark tight diamond.
Kirijatshenko and Majuri both name the line abreast loop as their favorite maneuver, where the aircraft fly side by side and perform a striking loop. Kirijatshenko describes it as the highlight of the display—something you can both feel and see when it succeeds. Majuri also praises the maneuver:
- In my opinion, in addition to looking very impressive from the ground, it’s a fantastic maneuver to fly. That moment feels incredible when the Hawks’ noses are pointing toward the sky, your teammates are right there beside you, and from my position I can see the whole formation at a glance, Majuri describes.
Lappalainen is looking forward to the low barrel roll this season, which he found particularly challenging to fly from the wing position last year. He says he gained plenty of repetitions and successful experiences during the training period and hopes for more of the same in the coming season. Mattila also chooses the low barrel roll as his favorite because he finds it visually impressive.
- Like the others, I’m also looking forward to the line abreast loop once the flying becomes more comfortable. It’s a very different maneuver compared to the others, and this season I’ll get the repetitions I need, Mattila says.
A New Member and Changing Roles
Captain Ville Mattila, who served as the team’s commentator, or number seven, last season, has been excited to join the flying formation. Based on the first few months, he describes it as an amazing experience.
- Last year I really enjoyed the role of number seven. It looked incredible from the ground, watching the aircraft in the sky with great music playing. Back then I thought that maybe in a year I’d be in my current position. Being part of the flying formation is very different from what I expected. As my flight hours increase, I keep improving, Mattila says.
Mattila and the rest of the team thank the current team supervisor, Captain Petteri Wahlgren, for his guidance and support.
- The team’s new pilot in position #4 has flown extremely well. In this optimal situation for the team, the supervisor has been able to support him, as Wahlgren flew that position last season, Kirijatshenko notes.
The team supervisor is responsible for ensuring both the safety and the visual quality of the maneuvers. In his new role, Wahlgren is looking forward to impressive and, above all, safe displays. He hopes to see enthusiastic crowds of all ages attending the shows.
The Midnight Hawks’ new rookie, Captain Tatu Turunen, will act as the display commentator and will be responsible for music, social media production, and general team duties. He describes a mix of excitement, curiosity, and nervous anticipation.
From the ground, he finds the split maneuvers particularly fascinating, as the formation expands dramatically from a tight shape into a wide display.
- I feel a kind of childlike joy being part of the Midnight Hawks. I’ve followed the team from the outside for a long time, and it has always looked impressive. I’ve always known this is a great group of people. Now I get to experience what it feels like from the inside, Turunen says.
High Expectations for the Upcoming Season
The entire team has high expectations for the upcoming season following a successful training period. The intensive work has brought the group even closer together, and team members praise the strong sense of camaraderie and family-like spirit.
- This is a very tight-knit group that you could describe as a family, and that’s very important to all of us. Whether it’s a training day or a regular flying day, it’s a great feeling to see the other team members and to feel part of such a close community. Aerobatics is the work of one team, involving many different contributors, such as aircraft maintenance personnel, Kirijatshenko says.
- These are truly special moments for all of us - when we focus intensely as a group on executing a good performance and making the show work. The feeling afterward is incredible when we succeed together, Majuri adds.
- I’m looking forward to strong team spirit and performance from the entire team this season, as well as great display tours. I anticipate hard core teamwork—close cooperation and sharing both the good and the challenging moments together, Kirijatshenko says.
Season 2026 – Displays in Finland, Sweden and Denmark
During the season, the Midnight Hawks will perform at several events across Finland and abroad. The season begins with the Careers in Military Aviation Days organized by the Air Force Academy and Satakunta Air Wing, held on 7 May in Jyväskylä and 12 May in Pirkkala.
The Midnight Hawks use Hawk jet trainers that are part of the normal training and maintenance rotation. In some cases, not all aircraft are equipped with smoke pods, and some displays may feature red-and-white Mk 66 aircraft instead of the Mk 51 with the Finnish flag markings.
The Midnight Hawks welcome everyone to attend their displays.
- This season, we aim to be more authentically present with the crowds after our performances. We look forward to meeting people and are happy to stay and chat, Kirijatshenko says.
Read more about Midnight Hawks team members.
Midnight Hawks 2026 schedule (the list will be updated):
- 7 May: Careers in Military Aviation Day, Jyväskylä
- 12 May: Careers in Military Aviation Day, Pirkkala
- 4 June: Finnish Defence Forces Flag Day Parade, Raasepori
- 20 August: Careers in Military Aviation Day, Rovaniemi
- 22–23 August: Swedish Air Force 100th Anniversary Air Show, Sweden
- 13 September: Danish Air Show, Denmark
The schedule is subject to change. All flight operations are weather dependent.
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