The current flag was flown for the first time on 11 May 2013. Prior to the adoption of this flag, the island used the Union Flag of the United Kingdom for official purposes. At its meeting on 3 March 2009, the Ascension Island Council discussed the idea of a new flag and agreed to develop a unique flag for the island in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Members also suggested that a public competition could be held to determine the design of the new flag.
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island, in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is about 1,600km from the coast of Africa and 2,300km from the coast of Brazil. It is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, of which the main island, Saint Helena, is around 1,300km to the southeast. The territory also includes the sparsely populated Tristan da Cunha archipelago, 3,700km to the south, about halfway to the Antarctic Circle.
Alternative Flags:
Two draft proposals for an Ascension Island flag were presented to the Island Council at its meeting on 30 July 2010. Following a public consultation, a final design was published in January 2012 and if approved by the Governor, will be submitted to the College of Arms for approval. The draft proposals were made public in September 2010. Both are blue ensigns defaced with the proposed coats of arms.