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 Master Sgt. Burt Traynor

Patriot Sands- FEMA Cargo Loading at Tallahassee

1st Combat Camera Squadron

Feb. 22, 2019 | 4:50

Vehicles with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are prepped and loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III, with the 701st Airlift Squadron, at the Tallahassee training site for Exercise Patriot Sands. Air Force Reserve personnel and the FEMA unit review the load plan and train on securing the cargo in the aircraft. The training provides a unique opportunity for agencies to become familiar with the military aircraft to facilitate a quick response time during a contingency. Exercise Patriot Sands is a joint-service exercise coordinated by the Air Force Reserve, designed to integrate first responders from federal, state, local agencies and the military by providing quick response training in the event of a regional emergency or natural disaster. The exercise is conducting training across three locations: Tallahassee, FL; Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, FL; Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL