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 Airman 1st Class Thomas Barley

1-1 ADA Defending the Pacific

18th Wing

March 20, 2017 | 1:11

WEB LEAD
Teamwork is the cornerstone that keeps the military moving, without teamwork the mission cannot be complete and we’re left defenseless. Airman First Class Thomas Barley introduces us to Soldiers that work together to not only help defend Okinawa, but Korea as well.

NARRATION:
Cooperation between bases in the Pacific allow us to defend ourselves and respond to an attack quickly and effectively. Here on Kadena Air Base soldiers and airman work together to deploy 51 service members from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, along with a patriot firing unit.
SB:
They're going to Korea right now to cover down for the 35th artillery brigade who is going through a phase of equipment upgrades.
NARRATION:
While these 51 soldiers help Korea and their defenses, 1-1 ADA still has an entire team here in Okinawa ready to take on any threat that may come our way.
SB:
We’re able to defend Okinawa and its critical assets and still send some of our patriot firing units forward to other locations. I think it demonstrates our capability to defend PACOM as a whole.
NARRATION:
It’s this type of partnership and communication between bases in the Pacific that allows us to stay ready and prepared to defend the Pacific Region.
Airman First Class Thomas Barley, Kadena Air Base, Japan