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 Spc. Dean Johnson

Finland hosts its first Bradley gunnery B-roll

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

July 18, 2022 | 3:25

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (3rd ABCT), 4th Infantry Division, participate in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunnery at Niinisalo, Finland, July 18, 2022. This is the first Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunnery conducted at Niinisalo Garrison, Finland. The 3rd ABCT and the Pori Brigade of the Finnish Army began summer training in Finland to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations. Nicknamed the “Iron Brigade”, 3rd ABCT is part of V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe, that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces and retains command and control for all rotational units in the European theater. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Dean Johnson)