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. Audrey Martinez

H&SB special reaction team trains on Okinawa

AFN Okinawa

Feb. 9, 2025 | 1:00

U.S. Marine Corps Sgts. Tucker Masters, special reaction team assistant lead, and Joseph Garcia, SRT lead, assigned to the provost marshal office for Headquarters and Support Battalion, speak about an active shooter response exercise on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2025. The members of the SRT were specifically trained and equipped to react in scenarios such as active shooter, hostage situations, and barricaded subjects, and conducted mock responses in a variety of environments for training purposes. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Cpl. Audrey Martinez)