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 Kevin Conroy, Jon Zanone

USAFA Breaks Ground for a new Center for Character & Leadership Development

U.S. Air Force Academy

Oct. 15, 2012 | 1:28

Oct. 15, 2012 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Center for Character and Leadership Development building here is schedule for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 on the north end of the Honor Court. The Air Force Academy's CCLD has served as the focal point of the Academy's commitment to developing leaders of character since its creation in 1993. Its mission is to advance the understanding, practice and integration of character and leadership development in preparation for service to the nation in the profession of arms. The center does this through high-quality daily interactions for cadets with faculty and staff. The building is a $40 million project, funded by the annual military construction budget, with more than $10 million from donors. The facility is modeled on the design of an existing architectural icon, the Academy Chapel. Once built, the Academy's two structural icons will be adjacent to each other. The CCLD building is being built in a National Historic Landmark District, therefore the Academy has actively worked with the historic preservation community in the planning of the construction. The event is open to the general public. The air force academy recently broke ground on a new building. The new center for character & leadership development has a striking design and is being built through a unique partnership. Jon Zanone has more. Character matters. It’s more than a catchphrase at the air force academy. Developing leaders of character is a primary goal of the academy's mission. Soon, there will be a tangible reminder of that goal. The academy has broken ground for a new home for the center for character and leadership development. Col. Joseph Sanders, center for character & leadership development: it's part of a journey we've been on for a while. And that journey is to really be explicit, deliberate and as intentional as possible about developing leaders of character at the air force academy. The center's award-winning steel and glass design is modeled on the academy's international architectural style. The skylight points due north, and reflects the center's mission to guide the ethical and moral journey cadets undertake when they come to the academy. Col. Sanders: that symbol will be a reminder to us how important our core values are and how important it is to align towards that end. The building itself is being built with military construction funds. Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, USAFA Superintendent: "...combining that with donor funds to enhance the interior and exterior of this facility." It's a great partnership that will focus character and leadership research, training and education efforts in one place - all for the benefit of the air force, and the nation. Jon Zanone, the united states air force academy. Out: the center is expected to be completed in two years. Available in High Definition.