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 Sgt. Connor Davis, Capt. Frank Spatt

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Keen Sword 25: Building Warfighting Readiness

38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

Oct. 29, 2024 | 1:07

1-1 Air Defense Artillery, 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, deployed a Patriot Minimum Engagement Package from Okinawa to Misawa, Japan from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2024. This year, for Keen Sword 25, Delta Battery deployed their MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system to Misawa Air Base. Exercises like Keen Sword allow U.S. Army air defense units to test their expeditionary deployment capabilities in the defense of our allies. Keen Sword 25 is a significant initiative that helps build warfighting readiness, enhances tactics, techniques, and procedures across a wide range of military operations, and strengthens national sovereignty and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army video by Capt. Frank Spatt and Sgt. Connor Davis)