The US Department of Defense (DoD) wrapped up its Virtual Flag: Coalition (VFC) exercise on November 4, 2024, at Kirtland Air Force Base. This exercise strengthened operational ties between the US and allied forces in response to rising global tensions, especially with China.  

The exercise took place from October 21 to November 4. It involved more than 400 military personnel from the US Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Space Force, as well as international forces, including the Royal Australian Air Force, Canadian military, and UK Armed Forces. 

Virtual Flag is a long-standing training event that simulates large-scale combat scenarios in a virtual environment. 

This year, it focused on the complex nature of modern warfare in the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions with China have been escalating due to Beijing’s military assertiveness, including provocative actions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

“This exercise is key!” exclaimed RCAF Maj. Gary Stone, RCAF head of delegation. “It’s all about coalition partnerships; partners and allies. We are a proud part of that warfighting integration team. This exercise is a testament to that idea.” 

According to a press release issued by the US Air Force, VFC continues to expand, becoming one of the DoD’s largest exercises conducted in a virtual theater-level joint combat environment within the Indo-Pacific region. 

During the exercise, coalition forces operated in a live, virtual, and constructive environment simultaneously, enabling warfighters to train for combat against a peer adversary in a simulated setting. This approach aimed to enhance their integrated combat effectiveness. 

The training included virtual scenarios, where individuals engaged in offensive or defensive actions within simulators and constructive scenarios. Additionally, the combined forces confronted computer-generated threats.

The 705th Combat Training Squadron’s Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC), based at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, is responsible for planning and executing VIRTUAL FLAG (VF) exercises. These exercises follow a nine-day cycle. 

The DMOC integrates simulators from its center and other worldwide distributed sites, creating a training environment for thousands of Joint and Coalition warfighters each year. 

The 705th Combat Training Squadron employs a range of US Air Force, joint, and coalition weapon system simulators and emulators. 

These systems include the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System, E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, Control and Reporting Center, Distributed Common Ground System, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), and Joint Terminal Attack Controller systems. 

The exercises also integrate the US Navy, US Army, and other military systems, ensuring a well-rounded and dynamic training environment. 

Exercise Focuses On Indo-Pacific Threats and Coalition Readiness 

The Virtual Flag exercise spans air, land, space, cyber, and maritime domains, enhancing coordination and communication between US forces and their international allies. 

As stated, this year, the exercise focused specifically on the emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region. While the US Air Force did not specifically mention China as a direct threat, the exercise’s evolution over recent years reflects broader shifts in defense priorities. 

In particular, last year saw a major strategic adjustment, aligning training efforts with the Department of Defense’s National Defense Strategy. 

The exercise’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) was expanded to cover a vast Indo-Pacific region—twice the size of previous AORs—acknowledging the region’s increasing geopolitical importance.

This expanded AOR posed unique challenges, such as the “tyranny of distance,” which includes issues related to geographic separation, logistics, and communication. 

Moreover, the shift in focus from primarily land-based operations to incorporating a larger maritime component also required greater integration between allied forces to address these challenges effectively. 

This cooperation ensured that all forces were prepared to respond rapidly and decisively when required. The growing threats in the area, particularly from China, North Korea, and Russia, have driven increased cooperation among the US and its partners. 

As US Air Force Lt. Col. David Jones, commander of the Distributed Mission Operations Center, emphasized, this exercise is pivotal in ensuring that US and allied forces are ready to operate together in any combat situation. 

He underscored the importance of interoperability, stating, “Our DOD policy is, if we were to go to war, we are not going alone. We are going to go with our allies and partners, and we have got to make sure that we can communicate through the right systems, have the same operational mindset, and use the same tactical vernacular.”

This collaborative framework is important in tackling the growing and complex security threats in the area. 

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