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 Master Sgt. Amber Monio

Utah National Guard provides medical support during Talisman Sabre 2023

National Guard Bureau

Aug. 3, 2023 | 1:00

Medical personnel with the Utah Army National Guard’s 144th Area Support Medical Company traveled to Australia recently in support of Talisman Sabre 2023.

The Guard members were on hand to provide real-world medical support to the thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen participating in the exercise, which was held over the course of 15 days.

Talisman Sabre is a large-scale, multi-domain exercise that consists of a series of training events that reinforce the strong U.S./Australian alliance and demonstrate the U.S. military’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The exercise started in 2005 and this year marked its 10th and largest iteration, with more than 30,000 personnel from 13 countries participating.

(U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. Alejandro Lucero, edited by Air Force Master Sgt. Amber Monio)