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 Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk

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Broll: US, Kenya medical teams share lifesaving skills during Justified Accord 2026

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

March 3, 2026 | 1:32

U.S. Army Capt. Roger Arguello, a physician assistant, and Sgt. Casey Battles, a combat medic, both with 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, teach the tactical field care portion of tactical combat casualty care (TC3) to Kenya Defence Forces Medical Corps clinical officers during Justified Accord 2026 at Bearing Point 2, Laresoro, Kenya, March 4, 2026. The TC3 training strengthened lifesaving capabilities and readiness between the U.S. Army and KDF by reinforcing shared casualty care procedures, enabling both forces to respond more effectively to battlefield injuries and medical emergencies during joint operations.

JA26 increases multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance and crisis response, prepares regional partners for missions with the United Nations and African Union, and builds readiness for the U.S. joint force. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted in Djibouti, Kenya, and Tanzania, the exercise is U.S. Africa Command’s largest in East Africa. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk)