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 Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

ANG paint facility completes P-47 scheme on Thunderbolt II

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

May 5, 2021 | 2:54

The Air National Guard paint facility in Sioux City, Iowa completed painted a unique World War II heritage paint scheme on a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II from the Idaho Air National Guard that was revealed this week.

The design on the A-10 was requested by the 124th Fighter Wing of the Idaho ANG in order to celebrate the unit's 75th anniversary.

Following the 2nd World War many active flying units remained in service but were renumbered as they were reassigned to units of the National Guard.
The heritage scheme on the Idaho Air Guard A-10 is designed to replicate the paint as it appeared on the original P-47 Thunderbolt of the units predecessor, the 405th Fighter Squadron while the unit was based in Western France in 1944.

The paint details include a white nose, U.S. Air Force roundels on the fuselage and wing, along with D-Day Invasion stripes all painted over an olive drab base coat. The "8N" on the side of the aircraft indicates the aircraft code of the 405th Fighter Squadron as it appeared in 1944.

Units of the Air Force and Air National Guard can get permission to temporarily paint non-standard markings on aircraft as part of unit heritage and moral.