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 Sgt. Micha Pierce

Combined Anti-Armor Team Red platoon conducts live fire for Exercise Koolendong

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

Aug. 29, 2021 | 2:53

U.S. Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team Red platoon with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin conducted live fire scenarios over the course of two days during Exercise Koolendong, Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 28-29, 2021. CAAT Red conducted bounding Humvee drills with various mounted weaponry, held phase lines for tactical vehicles to push forward, held positions within hides, fired a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile at an enemy tank hold and fired 12 Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided TOW missile systems at an enemy position. Exercises like Koolendong validate MRF-D’s and the Australian Defence Force’s ability to conduct expeditionary command and control operations, demonstrating the shared commitment to being ready to respond to a crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Micha Pierce)