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 James Walker

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Planting, Broad Bay, Virginia Beach

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District

Jan. 31, 2024 | 2:34

In a collaborative effort with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Virginia Beach to increase water quality and strengthen the diversity of wildlife habitat, scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) transported viable eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) seeds to Broad Bay, Virginia Beach for planting on January 30th, 2024. This action comes as part of the restorative efforts of the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project. Over the last several decades, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) has suffered extensive losses in many regions of the world, including the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries due to declines in water quality and increasing water temperatures. For more information on the USACE ecosystem restoration efforts, please visit: https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Lynnhaven-River-Ecosystem-Restoration/SAV-Restoration/