2022---die-finnische-luftwaffe-l-sst-leise-das-hakenkreuzsymbol-fallen---gettotext-com May 2026
The primary motivation cited by military officials, including Colonel Tomi Böhm, is to "live with the times" and prevent misunderstandings.
: Despite its removal from planes, the symbol remained deeply embedded in unit flags, decorations, medals, and the official emblem of the Air Force Command. The Recent Shift (2017–2025)
: Maintaining the symbol was viewed by some as "unhelpful" for the military's modern image. New Symbols Finland's air force logo drops swastika - DW News New Symbols Finland's air force logo drops swastika
The blue swastika on a white background was adopted by the Finnish Air Force in , immediately following Finland's independence. It was gifted by Swedish nobleman Count Eric von Rosen , who used the symbol as a personal good-luck charm, long before it became associated with Nazi Germany.
: The swastika served as the official national marking on all Finnish military aircraft. : Following WWII and the Allied Control Commission's
: Following WWII and the Allied Control Commission's oversight, the air force replaced the aircraft roundel with a blue-and-white circle.
: As a NATO member, uniform and flag consistency with Western allies became a priority. including Colonel Tomi Böhm
: Foreign visitors often confused the Finnish symbol with Nazi iconography.