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 Pfc. Brent Lee

Thunderbolt Convergence: NATO forces demonstrate rapid HIMARS deployment and joint fires capabilities

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

March 27, 2025 | 3:42

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, conduct dry-fire operations with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration mission on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 27, 2025. The HIRAIN mission demonstrated NATO forces’ ability to rapidly and jointly deploy the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System worldwide, enabling long-range precision fires for maximum battlefield impact.

U.S. Army video by Pfc. Brent Lee

Runtime: 00:03:42:16

00;06 Belgian airbus A400m Atlas sits idol on runway
00;15 a U.S. Army High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle gets loaded into Belgian airbus A400m Atlas
00;22 U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket System gets loaded into Belgian airbus A400m Atlas
00;28 Belgian special forces aerial delivery platoon secures U.S. Army vehicles inside aircraft
00;37 Belgian special forces aerial delivery platoon secures U.S. Army vehicles inside aircraft
00;48 Humvee exits Belgian airbus A400m Atlas during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
00;58 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System exits Belgian airbus A400m Atlas during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
01;20 U.S. Soldier sets up a platoon operations center in a U.S. Army High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
01;33 U.S. Soldiers communicate in a platoon operations center during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
01;45 U.S. Soldiers make High Mobility Artillery Rocket System raise during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
02;06 U.S. Soldiers make High Mobility Artillery Rocket System lower during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
02;15 A Norwegian F-35 lightning II flies overhead during operation Thunderbolt Convergence
02;26 A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System drives towards the Belgian airbus A400m Atlas to be loaded up
02;43 A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System drives towards the Belgian airbus A400m Atlas to be loaded up
02;55 Belgian pilots center Belgian Airbus A400m Atlas on the runway before taking off from Bardufoss Airport, Norway
03;07 Belgian pilots take off from Bardufoss Airport, Norway
03;35 Belgian pilots fly Belgian Airbus A400m Atlas out of Bardufoss Airport, Norway headed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.