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 Christopher Parr

Red Tails wish ‘happy birthday’ to original Tuskegee Airman

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

May 5, 2022 | 1:01

In celebration of retired Sgt. Victor Butler’s upcoming 100th birthday, Airmen assigned to the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing gathered to record a birthday message at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, May 2, 2022. Sgt. Butler is thought to be the last surviving Tuskegee Airman resident of Rhode Island.

Individual birthday wishes were also recorded by Brigadier General Christopher Sage, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing commander; Chief Master Sergeant Sean Milligan, 332d AEW command chief; Colonel Brian Stahl, 332d AEW Intelligence, Operations, and Plans director; and Chief Master Sergeant Sean Scavetta, 332d AEW senior enlisted leader.

The 332d AEW heritage is tied to the original Tuskegee Airmen from the 332d Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces. The Tuskegee Airmen name encompassed navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks and other support personnel. In 1947, the 332d was designated as a fighter wing and more than 50 years later the wing was re-designated as the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing. The 332d AEW is currently based at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia and is primarily focused on providing support to Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.