Space Flag

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File:Space_Flag.jpg

Exercise Space Flag is a United States Space Force (USSF) exercise dedicated to providing tactical space units with advanced training in a contested, degraded, and operationally-limited (CDO) environment. The intent of Space Flag is to provide space forces with realistic, threat-based training to enhance their ability to analyze and respond to current and future threats within a broader warfighting context. Space Flag is the USSF's sole large-force employment exercise focused on gaining and maintaining space superiority and was modeled after the U.S. Air Force's Red Flag Exercise.{{Cite web|title=CHIPS Articles: Space-superiority exercise, Space Flag, concludes successfully on U.S. Space Force birthday|url=https://www.doncio.navy.mil/chips/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=13117|access-date=2020-12-02|website=www.doncio.navy.mil}}{{Cite web|date=2017-05-04|title=Air Force's Space Flag Training Exercise Seeks to Hone Warfighting Skills|url=https://www.executivegov.com/2017/05/air-force-inaugurates-space-flag-training-event-to-prepare-pilots-for-potential-space-scenarios/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=Executive Gov|language=en-US}}

With the activation of Space Training and Readiness Delta Provisional (STAR Delta) on 24 July 2020, the unit responsible for Space Flag has been re-organized under STAR Delta{{Cite web|title=Space Flag, the premier exercise for training space forces, successfully concludes for the|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2321531/space-flag-the-premier-exercise-for-training-space-forces-successfully-conclude|access-date=2020-12-01|website=United States Space Force|language=en-US}} and temporarily re-designated STAR Delta, Operating Location-Alpha (OL-A). STAR Delta, OL-A was previously known as Distributed Mission Operations Center-Space (DMOC-S) or the 705th Combat Training Squadron (CTS), OL-A{{Cite web|title=Space Force begins transition into field organizational structure|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2287005/space-force-begins-transition-into-field-organizational-structure|access-date=2020-12-01|website=United States Space Force|language=en-US}} and is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

The first Space Flag was held in April 2017.{{Cite web|date=2017-05-03|title=Air Force launches "Space Flag" exercise inspired by IMAX-worthy Red Flag war games|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-launches-space-flag-exercise-inspired-by-imax-worthy-red-flag-war-games/#:~:text=Sponsored-,Air%20Force%20launches%20%E2%80%9CSpace%20Flag%E2%80%9D%20exercise%20inspired%20by%20IMAX%2D,worthy%20Red%20Flag%20war%20games&text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20U.S.%20Air%20Force,and%20potential%20conflict%20in%20space.|access-date=2022-12-04|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1196643/afspc-makes-history-with-inaugural-space-flag-exercise/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331114349/http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1196643/afspc-makes-history-with-inaugural-space-flag-exercise/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2018|title=AFSPC makes history with inaugural Space Flag exercise|publisher=Air Force Space Command|access-date=December 4, 2022}} For the first two calendar years—2017 and 2018—Space Flag occurred twice per year. Starting in 2019, Space Flag increased to three times per year,{{Cite news|last=Risen|first=Tom|date=July 3, 2018|title=U.S. Air Force to expand Space Flag satellite war game|work=Aerospace America|url=https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/u-s-air-force-to-expand-space-flag-satellite-war-game/|access-date=}} with one iteration as a coalition event. Space Flag 19-3 in August 2019, was the first event to include coalition partners from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.{{Cite web|last1=Blenkin|first1=Max|date=2019-08-26|title=Australia and coalition partners attend USAF Space Flag exercise|url=https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/operations/3681-australia-joins-coalition-partners-with-usaf-space-flag-exercise|access-date=2020-12-02|website=www.spaceconnectonline.com.au|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|title=Space Flag holds first exercise with coalition partners|url=https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1943013/space-flag-holds-first-exercise-with-coalition-partners/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826011631/https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1943013/space-flag-holds-first-exercise-with-coalition-partners/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2019|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Air Force Space Command|language=en-US}}

The 527th Space Aggressor Squadron and 26th Space Aggressor Squadron operate the red cell and provide Opposing force functions or OPFOR for Space Flag.