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. Danny Rangel

Latin American Cadet Initiative

Air Forces Southern

Nov. 10, 2017 | 1:24

Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) hosted 24 cadets from 12 Latin American countries for a visit on behalf of the Latin American Cadet Initiative, Nov. 7. The Latin American Cadet Initiative is an Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs program that began in 2006. The program invites the top two senior cadets from up to 15 Latin American Air Force academies to the U.S. for a three and a half week visit. The cadets hailed this year from 12 Latin American countries to include: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru. The tour is meant to familiarize cadets with U.S. military operations, as well as to form important relationships between different countries.