diff --git a/game/ato/flight.py b/game/ato/flight.py
index 81bcc820..e69d872c 100644
--- a/game/ato/flight.py
+++ b/game/ato/flight.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class Flight(SidcDescribable):
     def __init__(
         self,
         package: Package,
+        country: str,
         squadron: Squadron,
         count: int,
         flight_type: FlightType,
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ class Flight(SidcDescribable):
     ) -> None:
         self.id = uuid.uuid4()
         self.package = package
+        self.country = country
         self.coalition = squadron.coalition
         self.squadron = squadron
         self.squadron.claim_inventory(count)
diff --git a/game/coalition.py b/game/coalition.py
index 9c3d4535..0617d796 100644
--- a/game/coalition.py
+++ b/game/coalition.py
@@ -71,6 +71,10 @@ class Coalition:
             return 2
         return 1
 
+    @property
+    def country_name(self) -> str:
+        return self.faction.country
+
     @property
     def opponent(self) -> Coalition:
         assert self._opponent is not None
diff --git a/game/commander/packagebuilder.py b/game/commander/packagebuilder.py
index 101c00d8..e0dcb1bb 100644
--- a/game/commander/packagebuilder.py
+++ b/game/commander/packagebuilder.py
@@ -26,11 +26,13 @@ class PackageBuilder:
         air_wing: AirWing,
         flight_db: Database[Flight],
         is_player: bool,
+        package_country: str,
         start_type: StartType,
         asap: bool,
     ) -> None:
         self.closest_airfields = closest_airfields
         self.is_player = is_player
+        self.package_country = package_country
         self.package = Package(location, flight_db, auto_asap=asap)
         self.air_wing = air_wing
         self.start_type = start_type
@@ -54,6 +56,7 @@ class PackageBuilder:
 
         flight = Flight(
             self.package,
+            self.package_country,
             squadron,
             plan.num_aircraft,
             plan.task,
diff --git a/game/commander/packagefulfiller.py b/game/commander/packagefulfiller.py
index 2854d020..69f746ba 100644
--- a/game/commander/packagefulfiller.py
+++ b/game/commander/packagefulfiller.py
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ class PackageFulfiller:
             self.air_wing,
             self.flight_db,
             self.is_player,
+            self.coalition.country_name,
             self.default_start_type,
             mission.asap,
         )
diff --git a/game/dcs/countries.py b/game/dcs/countries.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 7fe6805d..00000000
--- a/game/dcs/countries.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-from dcs.countries import country_dict
-from dcs.country import Country
-
-
-def country_with_name(name: str) -> Country:
-    for country in country_dict.values():
-        if country.name == name:
-            return country()
-    raise KeyError(f"No country found named {name}")
diff --git a/game/debriefing.py b/game/debriefing.py
index e21f8ba6..a7ece486 100644
--- a/game/debriefing.py
+++ b/game/debriefing.py
@@ -157,8 +157,8 @@ class Debriefing:
         self.game = game
         self.unit_map = unit_map
 
-        self.player_country = game.blue.faction.country.name
-        self.enemy_country = game.red.faction.country.name
+        self.player_country = game.blue.country_name
+        self.enemy_country = game.red.country_name
 
         self.air_losses = self.dead_aircraft()
         self.ground_losses = self.dead_ground_units()
diff --git a/game/factions/faction.py b/game/factions/faction.py
index 04df97ab..8bab8211 100644
--- a/game/factions/faction.py
+++ b/game/factions/faction.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from functools import cached_property
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterator, List, Optional, TYPE_CHECKING, Type
 
 import dcs
-from dcs.country import Country
+from dcs.countries import country_dict
 from dcs.unittype import ShipType, StaticType, UnitType as DcsUnitType
 
 from game.armedforces.forcegroup import ForceGroup
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ from game.data.doctrine import (
 from game.data.groups import GroupRole
 from game.data.units import UnitClass
 from game.dcs.aircrafttype import AircraftType
-from game.dcs.countries import country_with_name
 from game.dcs.groundunittype import GroundUnitType
 from game.dcs.shipunittype import ShipUnitType
 from game.dcs.unittype import UnitType
@@ -44,7 +43,7 @@ class Faction:
     locales: Optional[List[str]]
 
     # Country used by this faction
-    country: Country
+    country: str = field(default="")
 
     # Nice name of the faction
     name: str = field(default="")
@@ -169,15 +168,15 @@ class Faction:
 
     @classmethod
     def from_dict(cls: Type[Faction], json: Dict[str, Any]) -> Faction:
-        try:
-            country = country_with_name(json["country"])
-        except KeyError as ex:
-            raise KeyError(
-                f'Faction\'s country ("{json.get("country")}") is not a valid DCS '
-                "country ID"
-            ) from ex
+        faction = Faction(locales=json.get("locales"))
 
-        faction = Faction(locales=json.get("locales"), country=country)
+        faction.country = json.get("country", "/")
+        if faction.country not in [c.name for c in country_dict.values()]:
+            raise AssertionError(
+                'Faction\'s country ("{}") is not a valid DCS country ID'.format(
+                    faction.country
+                )
+            )
 
         faction.name = json.get("name", "")
         if not faction.name:
diff --git a/game/game.py b/game/game.py
index a6ba9050..8d2a59e0 100644
--- a/game/game.py
+++ b/game/game.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ from .ato.flighttype import FlightType
 from .campaignloader import CampaignAirWingConfig
 from .coalition import Coalition
 from .db.gamedb import GameDb
-from .dcs.countries import country_with_name
 from .infos.information import Information
 from .persistence import SaveManager
 from .profiling import logged_duration
@@ -180,15 +179,13 @@ class Game:
         Make sure the opposing factions are using different countries
         :return:
         """
-        # TODO: This should just be rejected and sent back to the user to fix.
-        # This isn't always something that the original faction can support.
         if player_faction.country == enemy_faction.country:
-            if player_faction.country.name == "USA":
-                enemy_faction.country = country_with_name("USAF Aggressors")
-            elif player_faction.country.name == "Russia":
-                enemy_faction.country = country_with_name("USSR")
+            if player_faction.country == "USA":
+                enemy_faction.country = "USAF Aggressors"
+            elif player_faction.country == "Russia":
+                enemy_faction.country = "USSR"
             else:
-                enemy_faction.country = country_with_name("Russia")
+                enemy_faction.country = "Russia"
 
     def faction_for(self, player: bool) -> Faction:
         return self.coalition_for(player).faction
@@ -199,10 +196,13 @@ class Game:
     def air_wing_for(self, player: bool) -> AirWing:
         return self.coalition_for(player).air_wing
 
+    def country_for(self, player: bool) -> str:
+        return self.coalition_for(player).country_name
+
     @property
     def neutral_country(self) -> Type[Country]:
         """Return the best fitting country that can be used as neutral faction in the generated mission"""
-        countries_in_use = {self.red.faction.country, self.blue.faction.country}
+        countries_in_use = [self.red.country_name, self.blue.country_name]
         if UnitedNationsPeacekeepers not in countries_in_use:
             return UnitedNationsPeacekeepers
         elif Switzerland.name not in countries_in_use:
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/aircraft/aircraftgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/aircraft/aircraftgenerator.py
index 912ba4bd..fcbc5121 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/aircraft/aircraftgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/aircraft/aircraftgenerator.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ from game.ato.flighttype import FlightType
 from game.ato.package import Package
 from game.ato.starttype import StartType
 from game.factions.faction import Faction
-from game.missiongenerator.lasercoderegistry import LaserCodeRegistry
 from game.missiongenerator.missiondata import MissionData
+from game.missiongenerator.lasercoderegistry import LaserCodeRegistry
 from game.radio.radios import RadioRegistry
 from game.radio.tacan import TacanRegistry
 from game.runways import RunwayData
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ class AircraftGenerator:
             # TODO: Special flight type?
             flight = Flight(
                 Package(squadron.location, self.game.db.flights),
+                faction.country,
                 squadron,
                 1,
                 FlightType.BARCAP,
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/airsupportgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/airsupportgenerator.py
index ca0128fa..1dbc7c09 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/airsupportgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/airsupportgenerator.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class AirSupportGenerator:
             else self.conflict.red_cp
         )
 
-        country = self.game.blue.faction.country
+        country = self.mission.country(self.game.blue.country_name)
 
         if not self.game.settings.disable_legacy_tanker:
             fallback_tanker_number = 0
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/cargoshipgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/cargoshipgenerator.py
index 460420e2..ec7e6577 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/cargoshipgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/cargoshipgenerator.py
@@ -29,9 +29,12 @@ class CargoShipGenerator:
                 self.generate_cargo_ship(ship)
 
     def generate_cargo_ship(self, ship: CargoShip) -> ShipGroup:
+        country = self.mission.country(
+            self.game.coalition_for(ship.player_owned).country_name
+        )
         waypoints = ship.route
         group = self.mission.ship_group(
-            self.game.coalition_for(ship.player_owned).faction.country,
+            country,
             ship.name,
             HandyWind,
             position=waypoints[0],
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/convoygenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/convoygenerator.py
index e338617a..a1fe60b7 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/convoygenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/convoygenerator.py
@@ -70,11 +70,13 @@ class ConvoyGenerator:
         units: dict[GroundUnitType, int],
         for_player: bool,
     ) -> VehicleGroup:
+        country = self.mission.country(self.game.coalition_for(for_player).country_name)
+
         unit_types = list(units.items())
         main_unit_type, main_unit_count = unit_types[0]
 
         group = self.mission.vehicle_group(
-            self.game.coalition_for(for_player).faction.country,
+            country,
             name,
             main_unit_type.dcs_unit_type,
             position=position,
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/flotgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/flotgenerator.py
index 9cab293d..af7a97a3 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/flotgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/flotgenerator.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ class FlotGenerator:
                 utype = AircraftType.named("MQ-9 Reaper")
 
             jtac = self.mission.flight_group(
-                country=self.game.blue.faction.country,
+                country=self.mission.country(self.game.blue.country_name),
                 name=namegen.next_jtac_name(),
                 aircraft_type=utype.dcs_unit_type,
                 position=position[0],
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ class FlotGenerator:
         spawn_heading = (
             self.conflict.heading.left if is_player else self.conflict.heading.right
         )
-        country = self.game.coalition_for(is_player).faction.country
+        country = self.game.coalition_for(is_player).country_name
         for group in groups:
             if group.role == CombatGroupRole.ARTILLERY:
                 distance_from_frontline = (
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ class FlotGenerator:
 
             g = self._generate_group(
                 is_player,
-                country,
+                self.mission.country(country),
                 group.unit_type,
                 group.size,
                 final_position,
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ class FlotGenerator:
                 self.gen_infantry_group_for_group(
                     g,
                     is_player,
-                    country,
+                    self.mission.country(country),
                     spawn_heading.opposite,
                 )
 
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/logisticsgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/logisticsgenerator.py
index 30c27b4f..089a6bda 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/logisticsgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/logisticsgenerator.py
@@ -93,8 +93,9 @@ class LogisticsGenerator:
             "ctld", "logisticunit"
         ):
             # Spawn logisticsunit at pickup zones
+            country = self.mission.country(self.flight.country)
             logistic_unit = self.mission.static_group(
-                self.flight.squadron.coalition.faction.country,
+                country,
                 f"{self.group.name}logistic",
                 Fortification.FARP_Ammo_Dump_Coating,
                 pickup_point,
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/missiongenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/missiongenerator.py
index ffa85f8f..38deaaa8 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/missiongenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/missiongenerator.py
@@ -135,12 +135,19 @@ class MissionGenerator:
             "neutrals", bullseye=Bullseye(Point(0, 0, self.mission.terrain)).to_pydcs()
         )
 
-        p_country = self.game.blue.faction.country
-        e_country = self.game.red.faction.country
-        self.mission.coalition["blue"].add_country(p_country)
-        self.mission.coalition["red"].add_country(e_country)
+        p_country = self.game.blue.country_name
+        e_country = self.game.red.country_name
+        self.mission.coalition["blue"].add_country(
+            country_dict[country_id_from_name(p_country)]()
+        )
+        self.mission.coalition["red"].add_country(
+            country_dict[country_id_from_name(e_country)]()
+        )
 
-        belligerents = {p_country, e_country}
+        belligerents = [
+            country_id_from_name(p_country),
+            country_id_from_name(e_country),
+        ]
         for country in country_dict.keys():
             if country not in belligerents:
                 self.mission.coalition["neutrals"].add_country(country_dict[country]())
@@ -264,18 +271,18 @@ class MissionGenerator:
         aircraft_generator.clear_parking_slots()
 
         aircraft_generator.generate_flights(
-            self.game.blue.faction.country,
+            self.mission.country(self.game.blue.country_name),
             self.game.blue.ato,
             tgo_generator.runways,
         )
         aircraft_generator.generate_flights(
-            self.game.red.faction.country,
+            self.mission.country(self.game.red.country_name),
             self.game.red.ato,
             tgo_generator.runways,
         )
         aircraft_generator.spawn_unused_aircraft(
-            self.game.blue.faction.country,
-            self.game.red.faction.country,
+            self.mission.country(self.game.blue.country_name),
+            self.mission.country(self.game.red.country_name),
         )
 
         for flight in aircraft_generator.flights:
@@ -307,7 +314,7 @@ class MissionGenerator:
             pos = Point(cast(float, d["x"]), cast(float, d["z"]), self.mission.terrain)
             if utype is not None and not self.game.position_culled(pos):
                 self.mission.static_group(
-                    country=self.game.blue.faction.country,
+                    country=self.mission.country(self.game.blue.country_name),
                     name="",
                     _type=utype,
                     hidden=True,
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/tgogenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/tgogenerator.py
index 69b15d65..e7683f26 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/tgogenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/tgogenerator.py
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ class HelipadGenerator:
             return
         # Note: Helipad are generated as neutral object in order not to interfer with
         # capture triggers
-        country = self.game.coalition_for(self.cp.captured).faction.country
+        country = self.m.country(self.game.coalition_for(self.cp.captured).country_name)
 
         for i, helipad in enumerate(self.cp.helipads):
             heading = helipad.heading.degrees
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ class TgoGenerator:
 
     def generate(self) -> None:
         for cp in self.game.theater.controlpoints:
-            country = self.game.coalition_for(cp.captured).faction.country
+            country = self.m.country(self.game.coalition_for(cp.captured).country_name)
 
             # Generate helipads
             helipad_gen = HelipadGenerator(
diff --git a/game/missiongenerator/visualsgenerator.py b/game/missiongenerator/visualsgenerator.py
index 56a19708..14aa5af3 100644
--- a/game/missiongenerator/visualsgenerator.py
+++ b/game/missiongenerator/visualsgenerator.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class VisualsGenerator:
                             break
 
                         self.mission.static_group(
-                            self.game.red.faction.country,
+                            self.mission.country(self.game.red.country_name),
                             "",
                             _type=v,
                             position=pos,
diff --git a/game/squadrons/squadron.py b/game/squadrons/squadron.py
index 9e5c731a..21fed869 100644
--- a/game/squadrons/squadron.py
+++ b/game/squadrons/squadron.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Optional, Sequence, TYPE_CHECKING
 
-from dcs.country import Country
 from faker import Faker
 
 from game.ato import Flight, FlightType, Package
@@ -29,7 +28,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 class Squadron:
     name: str
     nickname: Optional[str]
-    country: Country
+    country: str
     role: str
     aircraft: AircraftType
     max_size: int
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ class Squadron:
             (
                 self.name,
                 self.nickname,
-                self.country.id,
+                self.country,
                 self.role,
                 self.aircraft,
             )
@@ -419,6 +418,7 @@ class Squadron:
 
         flight = Flight(
             package,
+            self.coalition.country_name,
             self,
             size,
             FlightType.FERRY,
diff --git a/game/squadrons/squadrondef.py b/game/squadrons/squadrondef.py
index c9a88a6d..1c009dab 100644
--- a/game/squadrons/squadrondef.py
+++ b/game/squadrons/squadrondef.py
@@ -5,10 +5,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import yaml
-from dcs.country import Country
 
 from game.dcs.aircrafttype import AircraftType
-from game.dcs.countries import country_with_name
 from game.squadrons.operatingbases import OperatingBases
 from game.squadrons.pilot import Pilot
 
@@ -21,7 +19,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 class SquadronDef:
     name: str
     nickname: Optional[str]
-    country: Country
+    country: str
     role: str
     aircraft: AircraftType
     livery: Optional[str]
@@ -73,7 +71,7 @@ class SquadronDef:
         return SquadronDef(
             name=data["name"],
             nickname=data.get("nickname"),
-            country=country_with_name(data["country"]),
+            country=data["country"],
             role=data["role"],
             aircraft=unit_type,
             livery=data.get("livery"),
diff --git a/game/squadrons/squadrondefloader.py b/game/squadrons/squadrondefloader.py
index 1d79fb35..cfd1197e 100644
--- a/game/squadrons/squadrondefloader.py
+++ b/game/squadrons/squadrondefloader.py
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ class SquadronDefLoader:
         squadrons: dict[AircraftType, list[SquadronDef]] = defaultdict(list)
         country = self.faction.country
         faction = self.faction
-        any_country = country.name.startswith("Combined Joint Task Forces ")
+        any_country = country.startswith("Combined Joint Task Forces ")
         for directory in self.squadron_directories():
             for path, squadron_def in self.load_squadrons_from(directory):
                 if not any_country and squadron_def.country != country:
                     logging.debug(
                         "Not using squadron for non-matching country (is "
-                        f"{squadron_def.country.name}, need {country.name}: {path}"
+                        f"{squadron_def.country}, need {country}: {path}"
                     )
                     continue
                 if squadron_def.aircraft not in faction.aircrafts:
diff --git a/game/transfers.py b/game/transfers.py
index 806a79a8..86f946d4 100644
--- a/game/transfers.py
+++ b/game/transfers.py
@@ -357,6 +357,7 @@ class AirliftPlanner:
 
         flight = Flight(
             self.package,
+            self.game.country_for(squadron.player),
             squadron,
             flight_size,
             FlightType.TRANSPORT,
diff --git a/qt_ui/widgets/combos/liveryselector.py b/qt_ui/widgets/combos/liveryselector.py
index 38c4a55f..3538d5c8 100644
--- a/qt_ui/widgets/combos/liveryselector.py
+++ b/qt_ui/widgets/combos/liveryselector.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import dcs.countries
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import QComboBox
 from dcs.liveries.livery import Livery
 
@@ -21,7 +22,9 @@ class LiverySelector(QComboBox):
         self.clear()
         self.addItem("Default", None)
         for idx, livery in enumerate(
-            squadron.aircraft.dcs_unit_type.iter_liveries_for_country(squadron.country)
+            squadron.aircraft.dcs_unit_type.iter_liveries_for_country(
+                dcs.countries.get_by_name(squadron.country)
+            )
         ):
             self.addItem(livery.name, livery)
             if squadron.livery == livery.id:
diff --git a/qt_ui/windows/mission/flight/QFlightCreator.py b/qt_ui/windows/mission/flight/QFlightCreator.py
index 5702304b..aa657ded 100644
--- a/qt_ui/windows/mission/flight/QFlightCreator.py
+++ b/qt_ui/windows/mission/flight/QFlightCreator.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ class QFlightCreator(QDialog):
         self.game = game
         self.package = package
         self.custom_name_text = None
+        self.country = self.game.blue.country_name
 
         # Make dialog modal to prevent background windows to close unexpectedly.
         self.setModal(True)
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ class QFlightCreator(QDialog):
 
         flight = Flight(
             self.package,
+            self.country,
             squadron,
             # A bit of a hack to work around the old API. Not actually relevant because
             # the roster is passed explicitly. Needs a refactor.
diff --git a/tests/test_factions.py b/tests/test_factions.py
index 96b5a353..58e20667 100644
--- a/tests/test_factions.py
+++ b/tests/test_factions.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class TestFactionLoader(unittest.TestCase):
         with (RESOURCES_DIR / "valid_faction.json").open("r") as data:
             faction = Faction.from_dict(json.load(data))
 
-            self.assertEqual(faction.country.name, "USA")
+            self.assertEqual(faction.country, "USA")
             self.assertEqual(faction.name, "USA 2005")
             self.assertEqual(faction.authors, "Khopa")
             self.assertEqual(faction.description, "This is a test description")