The Finnish Air Force just completed Baana 16, a military exercise where they practice launching F-18 Hornets and BAE Systems Hawk trainer planes off of highways.

The video shows the Hornets smoothly launching off the highways and even landing with improvised arresting gear.

In a war situation, when airfields make attractive targets for enemy missiles and airstrikes, having the capability to launch from unconventional, unexpected places becomes a huge asset.

Sweden also participated in the exercise using their domestically built Saab Gripen jets, according the a Finnish release.

Watch the video from the Finnish Ministry of Defense below: