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 Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Giles

Coast Guard aircrew receives awards for rescue during Middle Fire

U.S. Coast Guard District 11

Aug. 6, 2020 | 8:59

Rear Adm. Brian Penoyer, Eleventh Coast Guard District commander, presented Distinguished Flying Crosses to Cmdr. Derek Schramel, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot and Petty Officer 1st Class Graham McGinnis, an aviation survival technician, and Air Medals to Lt. j. g. Adam Ownbery, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Cook, an aviation maintenance technician, during an official ceremony Aug. 6, 2020, at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville, California. The aircrew was presented the awards for rescuing two injured firefighters who were unable to evacuate from a mountainside that was engulfed in flames during the Sept. 6, 2019, Middle Fire. (Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Giles)