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. Andrew LaMoreaux

Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2016

137th Special Operations Wing

Sept. 1, 2016 | 3:20

Ulchi Freedom Guardian 16, the United States and Republic of Korea annual joint combined and simulation-supported command and control exercise, took place electronically across six installations on the Korean Peninsula and select military and government installations in the U.S., Aug. 22 - Sept. 4, 2016. The exercise brought 2,500 U.S. military and Department of Defense personnel to the peninsula to test decision-makers at the general officer level and strengthen the U.S. and Republic of Korea alliance. The United Nations Command sent representatives from nine of its States as well as neutral observers to join the more than 20,000 on-peninsula U.S. and Republic of Korea personnel in creating the largest, most robust multi-national exercise of its kind. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew M. LaMoreaux)