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 Airman 1st Class William Rosado

Dormant, not deactivated: 42nd ATKS end of operations

432nd Wing

Jan. 28, 2020 | 1:42

The 42nd Attack Squadron ended its combat operations and flew its final sortie down-range out of Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 31, 2020.

Col. Landon Quan:
The 42nd Attack Squadron originally started in June of 1917, during the days of World War 1. Fast forward to 2006, the 42nd stood up as the MQ-9 community’s only formal training unit and then quickly transitioned into combat operations.
Our job is to save lives of American servicemen, Coalition servicemen and civilians overseas and we do that through a number of different ways. One of those is close air support. Our other mission is combat search and rescue. We’re out actively looking, finding and bringing a service member home.
MSgt Adam:
The 42nd Attack Squadron has been a great family to me. Immediately from the start, I knew our camaraderie was something special that inspired me to come to work to put my best effort forward to make sure our Airmen could do our job and take care of each other.
Col. Landon Quan:
Our community right now is going through a major transition. We’re growing and a part of the cost of growth is to put the squadron in a dormant status.
MSgt Adam:
Everybody you talk to that’s been a Death Dealer, they always talk about how the mission is different from day to day as you come into work.
Col. Landon Quan:
Through my 18 years in the Air Force, this is my third assignment in this squadron. It’s actually very emotional for me to see what we started, the progress that we’ve made in our missions, in training our people, and now the end of the squadron, at least for now. I’m very proud of our people and the mission that we’ve been able to accomplish and I look forward to seeing what’s next for the 42nd.