Ever since 2003 the Finnish Army has cooperated with the Jukola organization
in arranging the event. This year the branch to "come to the rescue" is the
Finnish Air Force.
The agreement between Virkiä Jukola and the Air Force was signed on Monday
16th of April. The general agreement to cover the years 2007-2009 between
the Jukola organization and the Defence Forces was signed in March.
- The Jukola relay is a massive event, and as such a great place to
demonstrate our organization. We aim to excel in our duties, says
Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Heikki Lyytinen. He says that the
willingness to volunteer for the common good and high spirits are also
essential in making the event a success.
- Volunteer work is not very common
nowadays, but I know that the Ostrobothnians still have the volunteering
spirit, says Lyytinen, having worked for five years in the Training Air Wing
in Kauhava,some 20 kilometres from the Simpsiö Jukola competition center.
The Kauhava Training Air Wing is close to Lapua, and they are responsible
for carrying out the agreed tasks.
- The equipment is on standby. For example 350 half-team tents will come
from Seinäjoki. The construction of the managing systems shall commence the
weekend preceding the Jukola event, and a 15-man team shall be on duty
during the whole Jukola weekend, says Major Pasi Tyystjärvi from the Kauhava
Training Air Wing.
The Defence Forces shall, among other things, build the communication
systems to the television- and half time points. Also the tents for accommodation and kitchen equipment are all delivered by the Defence Forces.
The agreement between Virkiä Jukola and Air Force was signed on April 16th
in Jyväskylä by Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Heikki Lyytinen (from
left), Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Jarkko Numminen, Lapuan Virkiä's
Chairman Heikki Huhtamäki and the Jukola Competition Manager Ilpo Pajula.
Picture: Teppo Ylitalo
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