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 Lance Cpl. David Esparza

Raft It Up! | 9th ESB Marines conduct expeditionary bridging exercise

3rd Marine Logistics Group

Aug. 20, 2020 | 1:39

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jordan Chavez, a squad leader for Bridge Platoon, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, speaks about the purpose of building an Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2020. IRBs provide a wet-gap crossing capability either as a floating bridge or as a multi-bay for tracked and wheeled combat tactical vehicles. Chavez, a native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduated from Como Park Senior High in 2015. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. David Esparza)