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. Matthew Reisdorf, Airman 1st Class Colten Tessness

934th Civil Engineering Squadron 2023 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, an Electrical Upgrade

934th Airlift Wing

Aug. 8, 2023 | 1:59

Script:

Who is ready to dig? A group of 934 Civil Engineering Squadron Airmen recently traveled to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to get their groove on. They traveled to the icy state in rotations that consisted of two weeks. Overall, the entire project was 8 weeks in its total entirety. Five miles deep into JBER, as the locals like to call it, these Flying Vikings are hard at work. They all do a variety of construction events tied to the upgrade of JBER’s electrical system. Fittingly, like Alaska, the sites name Mad Bull, invokes a feeling of deep American wilderness.

SoundBite 1

Soundbite 2

Broken into three different construction areas, the Airmen all have their role to play. The training that these Vikings are receiving is invaluable. From a dirt boy to a carpenter, all are expected to work and cross train into each other's jobs. This allows the mission to be successfully executed in a timely manner. From Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, I'm Senior Airman Matthew Reisdorf.