Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

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“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 Spc. Savannah Smith

Table VI Live-Fire M109 Paladin

119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

May 17, 2023 | 1:16

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade conduct Table VI live-fire on M109 Paladins at Fort Chaffee, May 17, 2023. During training Soldiers rotate through the various crew member roles, ensuring versatility and mission readiness. The Paladins is self-propelled and shoots highly explosive rounds.
“It shoots Highly Explosive,” explains Sgt. Reo Blow, Chief Crew Gunner, 2-142nd Bravo Battery. “Unlike a bullet, which has the gunpowder inside… you put the propellant, or gunpowder, behind [the round]. Then you have a primer, where you strike the pin and causes all components to work together, sending the round off.”
Each Paladin is typically manned by a four-person crew which operates from within the armored hull. These crew members work together to ensure the effective operation of the M109 Paladin, delivering accurate indirect fire support to ground forces. Each crew member has specific responsibilities and tasks that contribute to the overall functionality and combat effectiveness of the vehicle.
“142nd is growing; we’ve got a lot of new soldiers, so we’ve got to get them trained up and certified on their respected Howitzers so that they can be combat ready,” explained 2Lt. Dalton Gray, Alpha Battery 2-142nd Executive Officer.
The Commander is responsible for overall coordination, communication, and control of the crew and the vehicle. They oversee the mission execution, ensure effective target engagement, and make decisions regarding firing orders and movement. The driver operates and controls the movement of the M109 Paladin. They handle the vehicle's acceleration, braking, steering, and navigation. The driver must be skilled in maneuvering the vehicle over various terrains and in different weather conditions. Gunners operate the main armament, which is the 155mm Howitzer. They are responsible for aiming and firing the weapon accurately based on the commander's instructions. The gunner must be proficient in using the fire control systems, adjusting the weapon's elevation and azimuth, and ensuring proper ammunition selection. Finally, the Loader oversees handling and loading the ammunition into the howitzer. They assist the gunner by providing the necessary rounds and ensuring they are properly prepared for firing. The loader must work quickly and efficiently to maintain a steady rate of fire.
“The goal of this year’s training is to become a subject matter expert in your craft, knowing your equipment inside and out; knowing how to trouble shoot any problem, and really taking that ownership over your weapon,” 2Lt. Dalton Gray.