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 Airman 1st Class Tylon Chapman, Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

Download

Air Force Cycling Team rides in RAGBRAI

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

July 24, 2022 | 5:00

B-roll video shows members of the Air Force Cycling Team riding their bicycles in western Iowa, near Sioux City, during the first leg of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI on July 24, 2022.

The weeklong bicycle ride is taking the team of 105 cyclists from the Missouri river to the Mississippi River, along with over 15,000 other cyclists for the annual event.

The Air Force Cycling Team began riding this year’s route in Sioux City where the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing hosted the team for the first night of the event.

Air Force Cycling Team Executive Director Trey Munn said the team is open to all ranks of the Air Force active-duty, guard, reserve, and Space Force. Members of the team at this year’s event come from all over the world. The team also includes family members and retirees.

The team has a rich history of acting as the “Guardian Angels of the road,” where they help people with injuries and equipment issues.

The first day of RAGBRAI this year was themed after the Air Force’s 75th Anniversary, and many cyclists could be seen wearing patriotic colors and Air Force clothing.

Over the course of the seven-day event, the team will be making its way to Lansing along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, with overnight stops in six cities along the nearly 462 mile route.