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 Greg Mason

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435th Training Squadron training at Fort McCoy

Fort McCoy Multimedia Visual Information Branch

Sept. 26, 2025 | 6:41

435th Training Squadron training at Fort McCoy
Students training with the 435th Training Squadron guide in C-130 aircraft from the 934th Operations Support Squadron out of Minneapolis MN. into the dirt Young Air Assault Strip (YAAS) at Fort McCoy WI.
The 435th Training Squadron (TRS) is under the USAF Expeditionary Operations School (EOS) charged with training and educating all-domain command and control (C2) Mobility Warfighters.
The Eagles develop a wide range of mobility professionals from a variety of AFSCs while modifying courses to meet current evolving worldwide operations. Combined, the squadron delivers 32 C2 courses including Functional and Geographic Air Operations Center training, AMC Command Post, Air Mobility Liaison Officer, Director of Mobility Forces, and Landing Zone Operations.
The 435th graduates approximately 1,200 students annually who then integrate back with their respective Wings, MAJCOMs, Air Operations Center or Joint Force Commander directly impacting the global environment and operations.
(U.S. Army Video by Greg Mason/Fort McCoy Multimedia-Visual Information Office)