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 Henri Cambier

Sentinel Shield Exercise

Training Support Activity Europe

Sept. 18, 2017 | 3:28

Four Role players armed with simulated weapons penetrate the Chièvres Air Base, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, to attack the SACEUR plane. They get shot down by the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Military Police. Military Policemen and the Security Forces of the 424th Air Base Squadron search the intruders. K9 secures the intrusion area inside the base with a Soldier and a dog while a security guard contractor secures the area from the outside. Belgian Emergency Medical Service members provides 1st care and take to the wounded terrorist to the hospital with a Belgian Police Officer.
Sentinel Shield 2017, is a full scale exercise to test the collaboration between the Garrison, tenant units and Belgian civilian agencies, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Sep. 07, 2017. (U.S. Army Video by Visual Information Specialist Henri Cambier)