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. Yesenia Barajas, Capt. Aaron Blevins, Cpl. Tyler Brock, Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor

4th Infantry Division Battle of Kamdesh PT Event

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

June 9, 2023 | 14:24

Soldiers assigned to the 4th Infantry Division run through a series of obstacles during a Battle of Kamdesh remembrance event at Fort Carson, Colorado, June 20, 2023. On Oct. 3, 2009, near the town of Kamdesh in Eastern Afghanistan, more than 300 Taliban assaulted Combat Outpost (COP) Keating. The deadly attack caused Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Ivy Division, eight deaths and 22 injured. The Ivy Soldiers were later awarded and decorated for their heroic valor. Honoring our heritage, Ivy Soldiers continue to grow adaptive and confident leaders of highly trained and cohesive teams of skilled and expert Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Aaron Blevins, Staff Sgt. Andrew Greenwood, Staff Sgt. Yesenia Barajas, Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor and Cpl Tyler Brock, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs)