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 Tech. Sgt. Lynette Hoke

Cass Lake IRT Dental Clinic

148th Fighter Wing

July 15, 2017 | 1:22

Major Jeffery Kohler, a Dentist from the 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul, Minn., and Senior Airman Kristel Baltzar, a Medical Technician from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minn., talk about their experience in Cass Lake’s Walking Shield Dental Clinic on July 15, 2017 in Cass Lake, Minn. Walking Shield is Innovative Readiness Training run by members of the Air National Guard and Reserve from around the nation, who are providing no cost quality health care to the members of the community July 11 – 20.