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 Petty Officer 3rd Class Logan Kaczmarek

Coast Guard awards crews that responded to NYC ferry fire.

U.S. Coast Guard District 1 PADET New York

March 9, 2023 | 4:17

Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, and Capt. Zeita Merchant, the Coast Guard Sector New York commander and Captain of the Port of New York, present crews and representatives of agencies that responded to the Sandy Ground, a Staten Island Ferry, fire that happened Dec. 22, 2022, with Public Service Commendation awards and Certificates of Merit at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in New York City, March, 9. 2022. Captains and crew of the tug boats Paula Atwell, Robert Burton, Eastern Dawn, Mister Jim, Charles James, along with captains and crews from partner ferries, River Sprinter, Franklin Delano Roosevelt received Public Service Commendation awards for their efforts in towing the Sandy Ground out of oncoming vessel traffic. Captains and crew from the Sandy Ground, NYPD and FDNY received Certificates of Merit for their response to containing the fire and rescuing passengers from the disabled ferry.