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 Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike

HMH-461 Marines launch CH-53K King Stallions during WTI 1-24 (B-Roll)

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

Oct. 12, 2023 | 1:53

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 perform preflight checks as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-24 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 12, 2023. The WTI course is an advanced, graduate-level, seven-week course hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS) 1, which provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications, to support Marine aviation training and readiness and to assist in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rowdy Vanskike)

This B-Roll package contains the following:
CH-53K crew chief conducting preflight checks,
Slow-motion video,
Slow-motion of preflight checks.