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. Jon Cortez

US, multinational partners participate in instructional classes during African Lion 2025

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

May 5, 2025 | 1:30

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade and 207th Military Intelligence Brigade conduct classes on the Joint Planning Process and Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment with members of the Ghana Armed Forces and other multinational partners during African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 5–16, 2025, in Tamale, Ghana. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Staff Sgt. Jon Cortez)

(00:00:00) LONG SHOT: Joint forces participate in classroom instruction of the Joint Planning Process
(00:04:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Ghana Armed Forces soldier writing notes
(00:07:17) MEDIUM SHOT: U.S. and joint forces discuss map planning
(00:11:14) MEDIUM SHOT: Armed Forces of Liberia soldier asking question during class
(00:15:14) LONG SHOT: Classroom instruction
(00:19:14) CLOSE SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise
(00:22:31) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces discuss strategic planning
(00:27:42) MEDIUM SHOT: Ghana Armed Forces soldier writing notes
(00:31:42) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise
(00:35:46) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces socialize on break
(00:39:46) CLOSE SHOT: U.S. Army soldier discuss map information with Ghana Armed Forces soldier
(00:45:58) LONG SHOT: U.S. Army soldier instructing class
(00:49:08) MEDIUM SHOT: Ghana Armed Forces soldiers paying attention
(00:52:08) MEDIUM SHOT: U.S. Army soldier gives input in map discussion with joint forces
(00:57:40) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise
(01:01:44) MEDIUM/LONG SHOT: U.S. Army soldier instructing class
(01:05:38) MEDIUM SHOT: U.S. Army soldier gives input in map discussion with joint forces
(01:09:35) MEDIUM SHOT: U.S. Army soldier gives input in map discussion with joint forces
(01:14:20) CLOSE SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise
(01:19:29) MEDIUM SHOT: Ghana armed forces soldier gives input during map planning exercise
(01:22:52) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise
(01:25:54) MEDIUM SHOT: Joint forces discuss map planning exercise