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 Pfc. Rowdy Vanskike

New Tricks For An Old Dog: Marines with VMA-223 load Air-to-Air missiles onto Harriers

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

Aug. 31, 2022 | 3:44

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 load ordnance onto an AV-8B Harrier II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2022. AV-8B Harrier II jets assigned to VMA-223 were loaded with AIM-120A missiles and ADM-141A Tactical Air-Launched Decoys for the pilots to practice air-to-air combat. VMA-223 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

The following B-Roll Package contains footage of the following:
Marines inspecting ordnance, Marines loading missiles on an AV-8B Harrier II Jet, Marines arming missiles, Marines preparing an AV-8B Harrier II jet for flight, Marines taking off in an AV-8B Harrier

(U.S. Marine Corps video by Pfc. Rowdy Vanskike)