Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

“I’m extremely proud of the Space Force and all the good it has accomplished. But, as good as we are, as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve come, it’s not enough. We are not yet optimized for Great Power Competition.”

~ Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Chance Saltzman

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force was a direct response to threats arising from Great Power Competition in the space domain. Nevertheless, our legacy roots leave us sub-optimized for the security environment confronting us today, and we must finish fine-tuning the service to continue meeting its National Defense Strategy responsibilities

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

The space domain is no longer benign; it has rapidly become congested and contested.

We must enhance our capabilities, develop Guardians for modern warfare, prepare for the high intensity fight, and strengthen our power projection to thrive and win in this new era of Great Power Competition.

Video by Capt. Aaron Smith

B-2 THAAD Emplacement B-Roll

174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

March 3, 2019 | 2:53

U.S. Army soldiers with Bravo Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and 173rd Airborne Brigade emplace a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system March 3, 2019. The deployment of a Terminal Altitude Area Defense System to Israel is an exercise involving U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Israeli forces, under the Dynamic Force Employment concept. The exercise builds readiness and interoperability in the region, demonstrates the U.S. capability to rapidly deploy air defense assets globally, and demonstrates U.S. Army Europe's mission to deter potential adversaries and support allies. (U.S. Air Force video by Codie E. Trimble)