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 Kyle Crawford

National JROTC All-Service Aerial Drone Championship | 2024

U.S. Army Cadet Command (Army ROTC)

April 6, 2024 | 5:18

Cadets from JROTC programs from across the country competed in the first ever National JROTC All-Service Aerial Drone Championship at the Batesville Civic Center April 5-6, 2024. During this two-day competition teams competed in a series of events testing their ability to pilot drones, communicate as a team, program an autonomous flight, and properly document flights. Interviews start at 03:00 Army JROTC cadet Azzy Pittman, the battalion commander for Camdenton High School Army JROTC. The Camdenton High School Army JROTC drone team was named the National Army JROTC Champion at the National JROTC All-Service Aerial Drone Championship, Batesville, Miss., April 6, 2024. Capt. (Ret.) Roy Roby, the senior army instructor at Poudre High School, in Fort Collins, Co. Poudre High School Army JROTC is a new program that started in the fall of 2023 and recently started its drone team. Army JROTC cadet Owen Guzik, from Ida S. Baker High School, in Cape Coral, Fla. Guzik is one of the drone pilots on his Army JROTC program’s drone team as a freshman. Christian Campbell, a senior from Perry County Central High School, in Hazard, Ky. Campbell is not in Army JROTC, but joined the drone team to gain experience as he aims to become a civil engineer and use drones in his future career.