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 Staff Sgt. Zoe Russell

COVID-19 Boston Hope Medical Center Sgt. William Keenan Interview

Defense Department Support to FEMA COVID-19

April 26, 2020 | 3:07

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. William Keenan, a nutrition care specialist with Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 801-1, describes his experience working at Boston Hope Medical Center, Mass., April 27, 2020. The augmented task force is responsible for aiding the efforts to increase the care capacity and treatment ability of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients within the hospital, alleviating civilian providers from having to manage lower priority patients. This task force employs unique, expeditionary capabilities provided by U.S. Northern Command to support FEMA as part of a whole-of-nation response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Zoe Russell)