  The static QCD force from the lattice can be used to extract
$\Lambda_{\overline{\textrm{MS}}}$, which determines the running of the strong
coupling. Usually, this is done with a numerical derivative of the static
potential. However, this introduces additional systematic uncertainties; thus,
we use another observable to measure the static force directly. This observable
consists of a Wilson loop with a chromoelectric field insertion. We work in the
pure SU(3) gauge theory. We use gradient flow to improve the signal-to-noise
ratio and to address the field insertion. We extract
$\Lambda_{\overline{\textrm{MS}}}^{n_f=0}$ from the data by exploring different
methods to perform the zero flow time limit. We obtain the value $\sqrt{8t_0}
\Lambda_{\overline{\textrm{MS}}}^{n_f=0} =0.629^{+22}_{-26}$, where $t_0$ is a
flow time reference scale. We also obtain precise determinations of several
scales: $r_0/r_1$, $\sqrt{8 t_0}/r_0$, $\sqrt{8 t_0}/r_1$ and we compare to the
literature. The gradient flow appears to be a promising method for calculations
of Wilson loops with chromolectric and chromomagnetic insertions in quenched
and unquenched configurations.
