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 Senior Airman Jacob Dastas

944th Fighter Wing

Nov. 14, 2024 | 1:35

USAF Reserve 944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen work with other units to rescue and transport simulated patients in a base emergency response exercise under austere conditions as part of Exercise Desert Hammer participate in a simulated Mass Casualty (MASCAL) emergency base response exercise and work together to rescue members with simulated injuries and transport them on a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Ariz., Nov. 15, 2024. Through joint and multinational collaboration, the 944th FW hosts Desert Hammer to test the ability of over 700 participants and 131 aircraft to operate, defend, and sustain airbases under austere conditions across southern Arizona.