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 Sgt. Jordan Sutton

2024 Region One Best Warrior Competition

138th Public Affairs Detachment

May 13, 2024 | 2:21

Soldiers from the New York and Connecticut National Guards took the top slots in the Region Best Warrior Competition which wrapped up in lower Manhattan on Thursday, May 16. New York Army National Guard Spc. Peter Fillion, a member of C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment placed first in the enlisted Soldier category. Connecticut National Guard Staff Sgt. Curtis Ruckey, an infantryman assigned to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was named the winner of the Best Non-Commissioned Officer award. Sixteen Soldiers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with eight Soldiers competing in the non-commissioned officer and eight in the junior enlisted categories, vied for a chance to represent the region in the national competition later this year in Vermont.