Union flag signed by the members of the UK Training Team, Besmaya, 2017

This flag flew throughout the duration of Operation SHADER 5, part of the military intervention to counter Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It flew alongside the flags of the Spanish, Portuguese, American and NATO contingents in the military camp in Besmaya, Iraq. Despite only flying for 6 months, the flag shows significant discoloration caused mainly by the air pollution from Nahrawan Brick Factory located 11km north of the camp.

From a collection of objects associated with the deployment of 2 Mercian Battle Group on Operation SHADER 5, June - December 2017.