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 Cpl. Christopher Hernandez

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 conduct distributed aviation operations in Finland during Exercise Nordic Response 24

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

March 14, 2024 | 1:42

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conduct distributed aviation operations (DAO) in Oulu, Finland, during Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Oulu, Finland, March 10-14, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response is an opportunity for the 2nd MAW to refine the DAO warfighting concept, which focuses on generating aviation combat power through the dispersion of aviation squadrons, command-and-control agencies, aviation logistics, and aviation ground-support units across the battlefield while integrating with allies and partners. Exercise Nordic Response is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions, while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christopher Hernandez)