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 Brigida Sanchez

Invasive Feral Pigeon

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Feb. 25, 2026 | 0:33

It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW)! While we often think of invasive species as plants or insects, some of our most common "neighbors" are a major challenge for our parks and ecosystems.
Take a closer look at the Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)

1. The feral pigeon is a descendant of the domestic homing pigeons introduced to the U.S. by European settlers.
2. Flocks have increased in numbers and dominate the urban, suburban & rural areas.
3. They damage buildings and monuments due to the highly corrosive nature of the acid in pigeon droppings
4. Debris from roosting flocks builds up, causing gutters and drains to block, damage to roofs and other structures, and creating potential fire hazards.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international event dedicated to raising awareness about invasive species, the threats they pose, and the actions that can be taken to prevent their spread. to learn more: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/InvasiveSpecies/ (U.S. Army illustration by Brigida I. Sanchez)