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 Brody Katka

Climate Superstars Grand Prize Award Reveal B-Roll

Grand Forks Air Force Base

Dec. 12, 2018 | 5:12

GRAND FORKS, N.D., DECEMBER 12, 2018 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Boys & Girls Clubs of America joined forces again for the 4th annual Climate Superstars Challenge. This environmental contest is designed to ignite science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) interest among kids and teens while raising awareness about the importance of environmentalism and sustainability. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America affiliated Youth Center, located on the Grand Forks Air Force Base, won the national challenge to receive a $10,000 technology prize from Samsung.

After completing various sustainability activities from September 17 to November 4, the Grand Forks Air Force Base Youth Center was selected as the grand prize winner of this year’s Samsung Climate Superstars Challenge. A celebration event will be held at the local Youth Center Wednesday, December 12, 2018 to surprise the kids and teens with the announcement and reveal a $10,000 technology makeover as a reward for their efforts to raise awareness about climate change.

The contest required Boys & Girls Club members nationwide to complete tasks centered on core themes such as improving energy-efficiency, conserving water and reducing waste, including identifying energy efficient ENERGY STAR products, planting trees, recycling electronics and more. In addition to the contest activities, the Grand Forks Air Force Base youth visited their local recycling plant, enabled energy efficiency settings on their technology devices and met with the Air Force Base chef to discuss food waste. Results were captured via an online gaming platform specifically designed for the contest, and students were awarded with Samsung products for their outstanding efforts throughout the course of the contest.

More than 200 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country participated this year, marking the largest participation in the history of the contest. The winning Youth Center’s $10,000 technology makeover includes:

• Two (2) Samsung 55” UHD TVs
• Ten (10) Samsung Chromebooks
• Fifteen (15) Samsung Tablets with the Pen & Cover

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.