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. Edward Snyder

Lt. Col. Jack Harman Interview about AvDet Rotation 15-3

169th Fighter Wing

June 11, 2015 | 2:53

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Harman, commander of the 52nd OG/Det 1 Aviation Detachment in Poland, is interviewed by Senior Master Sgt. Wesley Fleming, the superintendent of Public Affairs for the 52nd Fighter Wing about the importance of the AvDet in Poland and Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE, June 11, 2015. U.S. Air Force Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, are deployed to Łask Air Base in support of Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE, during the month of June. These training missions, called Aviation Detachment Rotations, pair U.S. fighter pilots and maintenance crews with their Polish Air Force counterparts at Łask Air Base. This bilateral training, hosted by permanently assigned USAF service members assigned to Poland, has taken place since 2012. Through strengthened relationships and engagements with our allies, the U.S. and NATO demonstrate their shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe. (Interview to accompany previously uploaded B-Roll video from 2-17 June for Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE).