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 Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Isaacs

ASBB CENTER OKINAWA LTOWB (Clean)

AFN Okinawa

Sept. 16, 2022 | 1:00

220916-N-CZ893-1002 KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa (Sep. 16, 2022) Service members from the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) Armed Services Blood Bank Center, Okinawa gather low titer O whole blood (LTOWB) from other service members in support of Exercise Kamandag at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan Sep. 16, 2022. Armed Services Blood Bank Center, Okinawa is the first to collect and distribute LTOWB for emergencies, exercises, combat contingencies, and military treatment facilities in the USPACOM area of operations. The production of LTOWB has the ability to assist with damage-control resuscitation options on the battleﬁeld for pre-hospital treatment of patients in hemorrhagic shock. Whole blood is simpler logistically to position far forward on the battleﬁeld than blood components such as platelets and frozen plasma. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs)