The U.S. Space Force has started conducting a war game called Space Flag at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado to test the resiliency of satellite networks to threats posed by near-peer competitors such as Russia and China, Reuters reported Monday.
Kathleen Hicks, deputy secretary at the Department of Defense and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, observed the simulated space training exercise, which involved participants from allied countries such as Australia, Canada and the U.K.
"It happens in rooms like that … people at a relatively junior level in many cases. Collaborating and thinking through challenges and trying to figure out concepts that seem to make sense and discarding ideas that go astray," Hicks said of the exercise.
DOD said the Space Flag 22-1 exercise uses simulation and modeling, enabling participants to plan and carry out integrated operations, test command and control capabilities and integrate tactical and intel space units to defend and secure U.S. and coalition space interests.
Hicks also met with Gen. James Dickinson, head of U.S. Space Command, to talk about space domain challenges.
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